LHC declares A Q Khan ‘free man’, asks Govt. to lift security restrictions

LAHORE - The Lahore High Court on Friday declared disgraced nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan a ‘free man’ while directing the concerned agencies to lift restrictions on his movement.

Hearing a petition filed by Dr. Khan challenging the federal government’s decision to restrict his movement, the high court observed that the government was adhering to its earlier stance in spite of the courts’ orders of unrestricted movement, and directed the Government to provide a statement of compliance.

Following the court’s directives the government assured that it would follow the agreement reached with the nuclear scientist.

Dr.Khan expressed satisfaction over the court’s verdict and said that the government must follow the court of law’s decision and implement it as soon as possible.

“I made the country a nuclear power, but to no avail and fake degree holders are being honoured,” The News quoted Khan, as saying.

The federal government had moved a petition requesting the LHC to restrain Khan from giving interviews and meeting people without security clearance.

The scientist had in turn filed an application challenging the government’s ban preventing him from meeting relatives and restrictions on provision of medical supplies under the garb of a court order.

The judge had then directed the Pakistan government to allow Khan access to medical facilities and freedom to meet his relatives.

It is worth mentioning here that Dr Khan’s four-page letter to his daughter, in which he had described the illegal transfer of nuke know-how to China, North Korea and Iran, had become a headache for the Pakistan government.

The letter, which was published by The Washington Post, became a constant source of sensational stories put up by the foreign media, particularly in the western countries.

Besides that, Dr Khan, in a recent interview with a local channel had defended the act of sharing the nuclear technology with friendly countries, much to the embarrassment of the government.

It was these disclosures by Dr .Khan which had forced the federal government to stifle Khan and impose security restrictions on his movement. (ANI)