Controversial nuke scientist AQ Khan released

Islamabad High Court frees disgraced Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan from house arrest but at the same time restricted him from meeting the media, reports Kamal Siddiqi.

Islamabad High Court on Monday freed disgraced Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan from house arrest but at the same time restricted him from meeting the media. The court gave its verdict after Khan challenged his house arrest.

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Khan was placed under house arrest by the President Pervez Musharraf’s government. His counsel, barrister Javed Jafferi, filed a petition against the federation, seeking the nuclear scientist’s immediate release, a claim that the federation denies.

In a letter to the court, Khan said he had been “misquoted” by the media, as he had not issued any statement compromising national interests. “I cannot even imagine making a statement detrimental to the interests of my beloved country for which I and my family made so much sacrifice,” Khan said, adding that the media misquoted him on several occasions, and did not publish his clarifications.

Jafferi filed the petition along with pleas for initiation of contempt proceedings against de-facto interior minister Rehman Malik, making the president and adviser to the prime minister on interior respondents in the case.

After the court decision, local media said that Khan’s house arrest had come to an end. He would be allowed to carry out research work, move within the country and meet relatives after getting clearance, an official said.