Pak court allows Khan to meet relatives, friends

Islamabad, Jul 22 (PTI) A Pakistani court Monday allowed disgraced nuclear scientist A. Q. Khan, under house arrest for the past four years, to meet his relatives and friends subject to security clearances but barred him from giving interviewsto the media regarding the nuclear proliferation scandal.

Disposing of a petition filed on Khan's behalf by advocate Javed Iqbal Jafferi, Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Aslam of the Islamabad High Court said there should be "no restrictions" on Khan's visits within Pakistan to "meet any ofhis close relations subject to security clearance".

However, it also ruled that Khan should not "convey any information regarding proliferation to any of his relations orfriends by any means whatsoever".

The court said the scientist should be provided healthcare by a doctor of his choice. It also said: "adequate arrangements shall be made for the visit of Dr A. Q. Khan to the Science Foundation (in Islamabad) under strict securityarrangements".

The Islamabad High Court had on July 16 reserved its judgement on Jafferi's petition challenging Khan's detention after an in-camera hearing with the lawyers of the scientist and the government. Monday's judgement was silent on the issue of Khan's house arrest as well as the legality of thedetention.

The five-page order issued by the Chief Justice said: "Dr A. Q. Khan will be allowed to meet his close relatives and friends subject to security clearance and necessary precautions and measures taken in regard to his security andsafety, which is of paramount importance.

"He will inform the security agencies well in time the details of his close relatives or friends so that (the government is) able to make necessary arrangements." PTI RHL