Security concerns, Blackwater behind A Q Khan’s restrictions: Pak Interior Ministry

RAWALPINDI - The government has imposed movement restrictions on nuclear scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan due to the deteriorating law and order conditions and the presence of US private security firm, Blackwater, in the country, the Lahore High Court has been told.

Pakistan Interior Ministry’s counsel, Amar Bilal Sufi, in an application to the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) told the court that the government in order to provide foolproof security to Khan, it has limited his movement, The Daily Times reports.

It is pertinent to mention here that Dr. Khan had challenged his official protocol, terming it a violation of his fundamental rights, following which the Lahore High Court directed the concerned authorities to remove all restrictions on his movements.

However, under intense international pressure, the government appealed against the court’s directives, which saw the court put a stay order on the verdict.

Khan’s counsel, advocate Ali Zafar argued the case involves the freedom of a citizen, particularly someone of great importance to the country as his client, and that the independence of a person was his most important fundamental right.

The federal government has also filed a miscellaneous application with the court seeking permission to investigate the link between Dr.Khan and a journalist who works for the Washington Post.

The journalist reportedly contacted the government for its version after Dr Khan (according to the government) provided him some information regarding North Korea’s nuclear programme. ANI)