A Pakistani court on Friday ordered the lifting of restrictions on the movement of nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, his counsel said, according to dpa. The Lahore High Court told the government to remove the curbs, and explain why Khan was not being allowed to lead a normal life. Judge Ijaz Chaudhry observed that A Q Khan should be free to move around, attorney Ali Zafar told reporters. Khan admitted on television in 2004 that he transferred nuclear secrets to Iran, Libya and North Korea. He was immediately pardoned by then president Pervez Musharraf but placed under house arrest. The nuclear scientist later retracted his confession and petitioned a local court to end the strict restrictions which prevented him from leaving his home and communicating with outsiders. The court declared him "a free citizen" in February but the government required him to inform security officers well in advance about any travel plans and seek clearance before meeting any guests. On Thursday, Khan told reporters assembled outside his residence in Islamabad that the authorities had held him incommunicado. He described the recent court's decision as "excellent" and hoped the tight security cover which left him like a "prisoner" would be removed. Khan is revered as father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb, but the United States still considers him "a serious proliferation risk."
