ISLAMABAD, June 2: The Senate on Friday criticised members of the US House of Representatives for what it termed their “unwarranted observations and demands” that Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan be handed over for interrogation and inquiries into nuclear proliferation.

Lawmakers from the treasury and opposition benches lashed out at the US deputies for their remarks and said these were tantamount to a challenge to the country’s sovereignty.

Through a unanimously passed resolution the upper house said, “We term this action as a blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and integrity and interference in our internal affairs”.

“This house views with grave concern the unwarranted observations of some members of the US House of Representatives wherein they have demanded the handing over of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan for interrogation and inquiries about Pakistan’s nuclear programme.”

Both sides jointly drafted the resolution which was moved by Prof Khurshid Ahmed of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) after suspension of rule 236 and Leader of Opposition Wasim Sajjad, PPP Parliamentarian’s Mian Raza Rabbani, PML secretary general Mushahid Hussain Syed, MMA’s Liaqat Bangulzai and PML(Nawaz) Saadia Abbasi were its co-movers.

The resolution further stated, “We condemn in no uncertain terms the character assassination of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and other scientists which is an attempt to malign Pakistan’s nuclear programme.

“Our scientists enjoy the respect and appreciation of all Pakistanis. Our nation is indebted to them for the remarkable progress our country has made in the field of nuclear technology, weapons development and energy security,” it concluded.

Earlier, speaking on the resolution, Prof Khurshid Ahmed said the upper house represented the sentiments of the Pakistani nation and the resolution was the whole nation’s voice. He said the US attitude had evoked disappointment as far as the Muslim states were concerned. “It seems Washington is planning to attack Iran after entering and conquering Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Mian Raza Rabbani said Pakistan’s nuclear programme was an international sacred trust and accused the US of applying double standards with regard to Pakistan as well as the entire Ummah as against extending full support to the Jews who were not only free to produce nuclear arms but were out to destroy Palestine.

By adopting this resolution, Mushahid Syed said, the upper house had given a clear message to the US that the people of Pakistan did not like its policies.

Wasim Sajjad said the matter was very important and demanded a bipartisan approach which the treasury and opposition benches had demonstrated today.