Merchant of N-menace walks free -Afzal Khan writes from Islamabad
Abhishek Kadyan, Media Adviser to OIPA in India & TV Journalist | 07.02.2009 02:09
The allegations of nuclear proliferation against him have not been substantiated. — Islamabad High Court. Naresh Kadyan, Representative of OIPA in India appeal to the International community to take it seriously ......
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday declared father of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan a free citizen and quashed orders of his house arrest.
Chief Justice of IHC Sardar Muhammad Aslam, while announcing a verdict on several petitions filed against curbs on Dr Khan’s free movement, declared: “He is a free citizen and there will be no restriction on him to move anywhere in the country.”
Khan was disgraced and put under house arrest by former military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf in 2003 after he confessed on TV networks that he was involved in nuclear proliferation. After Musharraf’s ouster, Khan said he gave that statement under duress.
On Thursday the government told the court that the question of Khan’s freedom of movement was being negotiated by the two sides.
The court further ruled: “The allegations of nuclear proliferation against him have not been substantiated.”
It, however, directed that due to security reasons, Dr Khan should inform the government about his movement in advance.
The verdict has directed the government to provide “VVIP” security to Dr Khan immediately.
The court also rescinded its previous gag order against Dr Khan and ruled that he was free to express his views, talk to media and carry out research and get treatment of doctor of his own choice.
Reacting to the court verdict, Dr Khan said he was satisfied with the decision. He pointed that his freedom was a matter between him and the Pakistan government and had nothing to do with the US.
Talking to media at his residence, he said he did not want to delve in the past. He only wanted development of the country. “I pray that God save the country,” he said.
When quizzed, he said he would not take action against anybody for keeping him in detention. He said he would focus on education and setting up of welfare organisations would be his top priority. He told reporters that he couldn’t go to Karachi after the deaths of his sister-in-law and niece because of curbs on him. Therefore, he would firstly go to Karachi and might go to Saudi Arabia to perform Umra.
Chief Justice of IHC Sardar Muhammad Aslam, while announcing a verdict on several petitions filed against curbs on Dr Khan’s free movement, declared: “He is a free citizen and there will be no restriction on him to move anywhere in the country.”
Khan was disgraced and put under house arrest by former military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf in 2003 after he confessed on TV networks that he was involved in nuclear proliferation. After Musharraf’s ouster, Khan said he gave that statement under duress.
On Thursday the government told the court that the question of Khan’s freedom of movement was being negotiated by the two sides.
The court further ruled: “The allegations of nuclear proliferation against him have not been substantiated.”
It, however, directed that due to security reasons, Dr Khan should inform the government about his movement in advance.
The verdict has directed the government to provide “VVIP” security to Dr Khan immediately.
The court also rescinded its previous gag order against Dr Khan and ruled that he was free to express his views, talk to media and carry out research and get treatment of doctor of his own choice.
Reacting to the court verdict, Dr Khan said he was satisfied with the decision. He pointed that his freedom was a matter between him and the Pakistan government and had nothing to do with the US.
Talking to media at his residence, he said he did not want to delve in the past. He only wanted development of the country. “I pray that God save the country,” he said.
When quizzed, he said he would not take action against anybody for keeping him in detention. He said he would focus on education and setting up of welfare organisations would be his top priority. He told reporters that he couldn’t go to Karachi after the deaths of his sister-in-law and niece because of curbs on him. Therefore, he would firstly go to Karachi and might go to Saudi Arabia to perform Umra.
Abhishek Kadyan, Media Adviser to OIPA in India & TV Journalist
e-mail:
kadyan.ipfa@gmail.com
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