Pak court frees A Q Khan, removes all restrictions

Disgraced nuclear scientist A Q Khan is a "free citizen", a Pakistan court declared on Friday and ruled that authorities could not restrict his movements or activities within the country.

Acting on a petition filed by Khan challenging restrictions imposed on him by the government, Justice Ijaz Chaudhry of the Lahore high court declared him a "free citizen".

Khan can move freely within Pakistan, the judge said.

"(Khan) can move freely and continue his activities," Justice Chaudhry said while wrapping up the hearing of Khan's petition.

While holding the authorities responsible for providing security to the scientist, the judge directed the government to implement an agreement with Khan on his movements in "letter and spirit".

The government's lawyer assured the court that this agreement would be implemented.

Justice Chaudhry directed the Attorney General, the federal government's top legal officer, to remain in contact with Khan in order to address his grievances and to ensure his free movement.

In an earlier hearing, Khan's counsel Syed Ali Zafar had told the court that the government was illegally restricting the scientist's movements in the name of security.

Zafar claimed an agreement signed by the government and Khan during the tenure of former Attorney General Anwar Mansoor had been violated.

Talking to journalists outside his heavily guarded residence in Islamabad after the court gave its ruling, Khan said: "Let's see if the verdict is implemented. If it is not, I will take action for contempt of court."

Khan was put under house arrest in early 2004 after he admitted on state-run TV to running a clandestine nuclear proliferation ring.

He later recanted that confession, saying it was made under pressure from the regime of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

The Pakistan People's Party-led government eased restrictions on Khan after coming to power in 2008 though military authorities continue to keep a close eye on the scientist.

Pakistan has also refused to give international investigators access to Khan, saying his activities are a "closed chapter".

Khan has gone to court several times in the past two years to challenge restrictions on his movements.

Today's court verdict on Khan came even as Pakistan observed the 12th anniversary of its nuclear tests of May 1998.

"The tests were conducted 12 years ago but I had informed (former military ruler) Zia-ul-Haq on December 10, 1984 that we could conduct (the nuclear) tests at a week's notice," Khan told reporters.

India conducted its nuclear tests in May 1998 and "Pakistan was forced to conduct tests in response", he said.    

The atomic blasts established a "balance of power", he added.

"We have only one enemy -- India -- which wants to attack us and destroy us. But there is no danger that any country (can attack us or that) something like 1971 can happen again," Khan said, referring to the creation of Bangladesh out of East Pakistan in 1971.

Khan also criticised Pakistan's current leaders, saying they had not taken advantage of the defence capabilities created by nuclear scientists to put the country on the path to progress and development.