Congressional hearing on prospects of Pak civic nuke deal

A key US Congressional subcommittee handling terrorism and nonproliferation issues has said it will hold a hearing on the prospects and consequences of a civil nuclear deal with Pakistan.
The hearing, which follows appearance of reports in this regard in the mainstream media, is scheduled for December 8.
Both the US and Pakistan governments, however, have denied that there are any talks of a civil nuclear deal between the two countries.
Convened by Congressman Ted Poe, Chairman of Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, the hearing so far has no witnesses from the US government.
The three invited witnesses are Husain Haqqani, former Pakistani Ambassador to the US, Daniel S Markey, well-known South-Asia counter-terrorism expert from Johns Hopkins University and Henry D Sokolski who is the executive director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center.

Republican lawmaker from Texas, Congressman Poe has been a strong critic of America's Pakistan policy and has frequently questioned Obama administration's decision to provide financial aid to Pakistan.

Poe was one of the first few lawmakers to speak against a possible US-Pak civil nuclear deal, when the issue was raised in the mainstream American media ahead of the recent US visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
"Simply put, Pakistan's current and past record is disqualifying for any consideration by the US to support civilian nuclear cooperation with Pakistan bilaterally or in any relevant multilateral forum," Poe said in a letter to President Barack Obama on October 20.

"Pakistan has repeatedly proven itself to be deceptive and deceitful. Not only does this country continue to harbour terrorist groups that attack US troops and interests in Afghanistan, they have yet to come clean about previous nuclear dealings with countries like Iran," he said.
"I have long called for an end to military aid to this nation that just takes our money and uses it against our interests. Supporting a civilian nuclear agreement with Pakistan, a 'Benedict Arnold' ally of the US, while the Pakistani government continues to demonstrate it cannot be trusted would be irresponsible and dangerous," Poe said.

In his letter, Poe expressed strong concern about reports that the US is engaged in policy discussions and possible bilateral negotiations with Pakistan related to its nuclear programme which may include US support for a civilian nuclear agreement, relaxation of Nuclear Suppliers Group export controls and possibly also NSG membership for Pakistan.