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Pakistani court orders lifting of restrictions on nuclear scientist

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Feb 7, IRNA - A court in Pakistan Friday ordered lifting of restrictions on the father of country's nuclear program Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, who had been under house arrest since 2004 over alleged transfer of nuclear technology, his lawyer said.

Dr Khan has denied secret transfer of nuclear technology to any country and has said that he was forced by the government of former President Pervez Musharraf to make a confessional statement on the state-run television.

Dr Khan in a petition had challenged his detention in the Islamabad High Court late last year and requested his release.

The government for the first time allowed the media to talk to Dr Khan at his residence in Islamabad.

"I think the restrictions have been lifted and that is why you are allowed to come here," Dr Khan told reporters at his residence.

He said he will go to Saudi Arabia for Umra and will seek permission from the government.

Dr Khan avoided comments on allegations against him and said that the issue is now a matter of past.

"I will focus on education and will keep on writing in newspapers," he said. He added he has been freed as a goodwill gesture by the government.

He said that Zionists, Christians and Hindus were opposed to him when he had been engaged in nuclear program. "Allah Almighty has protected me," he said.

Deputy Attorney General Amjad Iqbal Qureshi had told the court in the last hearing that the government and Qadeer Khan are very close to an 'out of court' settlement.

Defence lawyers had requested the court to remove restrictions on Abdul Qadeer Khan, imposed on him in the name of security measures.

"I greet the whole nation that the court had declared Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan as a free citizen of Pakistan. The court has ruled that Qadeer Khan will enjoy free movement and speech as well as all fundamental rights under the constitutions," Ali Zafar advocate lawyer for Qadeer Khan told reporters.

Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Aslam heard the case in his chambers and issued the order, he said.

Zafar said that Qadeer Khan in his petition had stated that he is denied free movement and that he had never been involved in proliferation.
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End News / IRNA / News Code 342158