Pakistan becomes chair of International Atomic Energy Agency board despite treaty refusal

VIENNA – VIENNA (AP) — Pakistan has been chosen to head the U.N. atomic agency's governing body, despite its refusal to accept the nonproliferation treaty and its link to the nuclear black marketeer who supplied Iran and North Korea.

The appointment Monday was within the rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency and Pakistan was approved by consensus of the 35-nation board as the choice of the board's Mideast and South Asian members.

The nuclear-armed nation shuns the Nonproliferation Treaty, meant to limit the spread of nuclear weapons. Additionally, nuclear smuggler A. Q Khan, who clandestinely equipped both Iran and North Korea, comes from Pakistan.

Holders of the rotating one-year post have no power to influence IAEA policy or decisions.