US Wants Assurances Over Freed Pakistani Scientist

Khan is revered in Pakistan as the father of the country's atomic bomb.

U.S. President Barack Obama wants assurances from Islamabad that the scientist behind Pakistan's nuclear weapons program will not be involved in nuclear proliferation following his release from house arrest, the White House said on Friday.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs said the White House was aware of reports that a Pakistani court on Friday ordered the release of Abdul Qadeer Khan, who spent five years under house arrest after admitting selling nuclear secrets to Iran, North Korea and Libya.

Khan is revered in Pakistan as the father of the country's atomic bomb.

"We've seen the reports of the release but have yet to receive official word from the government," Gibbs said. "Obviously, this president has made clear many times the great concern that he has about nuclear proliferation."

"As we hear from the government (of Pakistan) about these reports obviously the president and this government want assurances that Dr. Khan is not engaged or involved in any of the activity that resulted in his house arrest earlier," he said.