AQ can't talk to media

ISLAMABAD - Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday relaxed the restrictions on the meetings and movement of Dr Adbul Qadeer Khan, father of country’s nuclear programme, but stopped him from talking to any media person or outlet on the issue of nuclear proliferation.
Chaired by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Aslam, a single bench of IHC also allowed Dr A Q Khan to have access to health care of his choice, permission to carry out research work in the research facility of Pakistan Science Foundation.  
However, the top scientist could only meet his relatives and friends after security clearance, IHC further ruled while disposing of a petition challenging the detention of Dr AQ Khan who is under house arrest since 2004 after having been accused of having links with nuclear proliferation.
“He will be allowed to meet close relatives subject to security clearance, which is of paramount importance. He will not be allowed to make interviews to any print or television channel on the issue of nuclear proliferation,” Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Aslam said in his short order on the petition filed by Barrister Iqbal Jaffery, a friend Dr Khan.
“The detenue will not convey/transmit relay any comments or give interview to any channel, news reporter, print or electronic media in any manner, whatsoever in respect of issue of proliferation”, the Chief Justice IHC further observed in the order which has confirmed that Dr A Q Khan is under detention, a fact that government authorities have been denying so far.
Dr A Q Khan has been under strict house arrest since 2004 when President Pervez Musharraf announced to pardon him after a shocking confessional statement of father of country’s nuclear programme on state run television channel regarding his role in nuclear proliferation. Dr Khan, has, however, recently stated that he had given the statement in the interest of country.
Commenting on the verdict, Barrister Iqbal Jaffery, a close friend of Dr A Q Khan and the petitioner in the case, lauded the IHC for relaxing the restrictions but said it was not enough.
Demanding complete freedom of his friend and absolute end of restrictions on Dr A Q Khan’s movement, meetings and right to speak, Barrister Jaffery said he would soon file a review petition on the issue.
He once again insisted that Dr Khan never spoke against the interest of Pakistan and there should be no ban on his right to speak.
Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Raja Abdul Rehman, however, stated that no review could be filed against the IHC verdict on the habeas corpus petition filed against the detention of Dr Khan.