Describing A Q Khan's release from house arrest in Pakistan as "a blow" to global security, an influential lawmaker has introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives, saying the disgraced scientist's case should be "a guiding element" in determining US policy towards Islamabad.
"This is a blow to justice and international security," said Republican Congressman Ed Royce, who introduced the resolution in the House.
Pakistan's mishandling of the nuclear scientist's case should be a "guiding element in the determination of US policy towards that country, including bilateral assistance," the resolution said.
It condemned Khan's release and declared the nuclear scientist to be a continuing proliferation threat who should be required to give a full accounting of his activities to outsiders.
The resolution introduced on Thursday also declared Pakistan's behaviour as "incompatible" with its status as a "major non-NATO ally" of the US.
"With this move, Pakistan is making it clear that it does not want to be a responsible actor. There is no reason to believe that the A Q Khan network has been put out of business. This cannot go unchallenged," said Royce, a Ranking Member of the Terrorism, Non-proliferation and Trade Subcommittee in the House.