Islamabad High Court ends A.Q. Khan's house arrest
21 Jul 2008, 1503 Hrs

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Islamabad, July 21 (ANI): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the lifting of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan's house arrest.

According to a Geo TV report, Khan, who was the fulcrum of a proliferation export program from Pakistan, would be allowed to carry out research work, move within the country and meet with relatives after getting clearance from the concerned authorities.

The high court, however, said that he could not give interviews to the media.

The order was announced after the hearing Khan's petition in which he demanded his immediate release from house arrest.

Khan's counsel Barrister Javed Jafferi had filed a habeas corpus petition against the federal government seeking the nuclear scientist's immediate release from state detention, a claim that the federation denies.

According to the government, the nuclear scientist was a totally free man with no limits over his movements.

In a letter presented to the court, Dr Khan said that 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," Dr Khan said in the letter, noting that the media misquoted him on several occasions, and did not publish his clarifications, reported the Daily Times.

In the letter, Dr Khan also maintained that certain quarters with vested interests were carrying on smear campaign against him. (ANI)