Pakistani court allows nuclear scientist to move freely

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- A court in Pakistan Friday removed all restrictions on the movement of the father of the country's nuclear program Abdul Qadeer Khan and allowed him to go anywhere he wants.

The Lahore High Court issued the order a day after Abdul QadeerKhan, known to the world as A. Q. Khan, moved a petition challenging his official protocol, terming it a hindrance.

In February this year the Islamabad High Court had declared A. Q. Khan as a free citizen of Pakistan and said that he is free to go anywhere in Pakistan.

But defence lawyer S. M. Zafar told the Court that the government's official protocol restricted A. Q. Khan's freedom of movement because he had to report to police in advance about his visits.

The Lahore High Court lifted the "official protocol" and also issued contempt notice to the government as to why restrictions had been slapped on A. Q. Khan despite previous decision by the Islamabad High Court.

"It is a good decision," A. Q. Khan's told reporters at his heavily-guarded house in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan.

A. Q. Khan, still regarded as hero in Pakistan, was considered as the founder of Pakistan's nuclear program. In 2004, he confessed on television that he had been involved in proliferation of nuclear technology from Pakistan to other countries.

The then-President Pervez Musharraf pardoned A.Q. Khan who was later put under house arrest.

A. Q. Khan said if the government did not remove the restriction then he will move the Supreme Court and unveil sensitive issues.