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Pakistan nuclear scientist 'free' Pakistan nuclear scientist 'free'
(about 1 hour later)
A court in Pakistan has freed disgraced nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan from house arrest.A court in Pakistan has freed disgraced nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan from house arrest.
Mr Khan, who has been under tight restrictions since 2004, can now leave home and receive visitors.Mr Khan, who has been under tight restrictions since 2004, can now leave home and receive visitors.
He must give 48 hours' notice if he wants to leave Islamabad but said on Friday he had no plans to go abroad.He must give 48 hours' notice if he wants to leave Islamabad but said on Friday he had no plans to go abroad.
Mr Khan admitted transferring nuclear secrets to other countries in 2004 but was later pardoned by former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.Mr Khan admitted transferring nuclear secrets to other countries in 2004 but was later pardoned by former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.
The US has repeatedly said it wants to question Mr Khan but Pakistan has always refused access.The US has repeatedly said it wants to question Mr Khan but Pakistan has always refused access.
'Free citizen''Free citizen'
"I am answerable only to my government," a jubilant AQ Khan told journalists shortly after the court order was announced."I am answerable only to my government," a jubilant AQ Khan told journalists shortly after the court order was announced.
He will have all rights available to people under the constitution and the Koran Iqbal Jaffry, lawyer Profile: AQ KhanHe will have all rights available to people under the constitution and the Koran Iqbal Jaffry, lawyer Profile: AQ Khan
But he said he had no plans to join politics or go abroad.But he said he had no plans to join politics or go abroad.
Mr Khan, the former head of Pakistan's nuclear programme, said he would use his freedom to concentrate on educational projects.Mr Khan, the former head of Pakistan's nuclear programme, said he would use his freedom to concentrate on educational projects.
His wife said she would wait to see how and whether the court's judgement was executed. He added: "All this has happened because of the keen interest taken by the president, the prime minister and especially [Interior Minister] Rehman Malik, who has looked into the case, reviewed it, discussed it with the government, discussed it with the concerned authorities."
Mr Khan's wife said she would wait to see how and whether the court's judgement was executed.
Mr Khan's lawyer, Iqbal Jaffry earlier told the media: "The high court has declared him a free citizen. He will have all rights available to people under the constitution and the Koran."Mr Khan's lawyer, Iqbal Jaffry earlier told the media: "The high court has declared him a free citizen. He will have all rights available to people under the constitution and the Koran."
Pervez Musharraf denied any knowledge of nuclear secret transfers
Over the past year, the government has eased some of the restrictions on Mr Khan. It says those that remain are for his own security.Over the past year, the government has eased some of the restrictions on Mr Khan. It says those that remain are for his own security.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says that despite Friday's ruling Mr Khan's proliferation activities still arouse international concern, although Pakistan regards the case as closed.The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says that despite Friday's ruling Mr Khan's proliferation activities still arouse international concern, although Pakistan regards the case as closed.
Nuclear 'father'
In January, the US imposed sanctions on people and companies linked to Mr Khan.In January, the US imposed sanctions on people and companies linked to Mr Khan.
Pervez Musharraf denied any knowledge of nuclear secret transfers
Last July, Mr Khan told the media that Pakistan had transported uranium enrichment equipment to North Korea in 2000 with the full knowledge of the country's army, then headed by Gen Musharraf.Last July, Mr Khan told the media that Pakistan had transported uranium enrichment equipment to North Korea in 2000 with the full knowledge of the country's army, then headed by Gen Musharraf.
The former leader has repeatedly stated that no-one apart from Mr Khan had any knowledge of the transportation of nuclear technology.The former leader has repeatedly stated that no-one apart from Mr Khan had any knowledge of the transportation of nuclear technology.
Mr Khan is seen as the father of Pakistan's nuclear industry and is still regarded a hero by many in the country.Mr Khan is seen as the father of Pakistan's nuclear industry and is still regarded a hero by many in the country.
But despite the court ruling, Dr Khan's proliferation activities still arouse international concern, says the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad.
Last year, a UN nuclear watchdog said Dr Khan's network had smuggled blueprints of nuclear weapons to Iran, Libya and North Korea.
Pakistan regards the case as closed - it says it has cooperated with international investigators, although it has refused continued requests to let Dr Khan speak directly to them, our correspondent adds.