'Worried' Pak govt. planning to stifle AQ Khan through legal action

Islamabad, Jan. 17 (ANI): The Pakistan government is worried over the recent disclosures made by disgraced nuclear scientist Dr A Q Khan about state secrets to the international media, and has decided to take strong measures in this regard.

A high level meeting was called to look into the issue. The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani himself.

The government is in no mood to take the issue lightly, which can be gauged from the fact that the meeting was attended by military's top brass and government's trusted legal experts, including Interior Minister Rehman Malik, DG ISI Lt. Gen. Shuja Pasha, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Tariq Majid and others.

Sources privy to the meeting said the security establishment is deeply perturbed over Dr Khan's activities, and it was decided that the government would urge the court of law to hold him accountable for 'violating the undertaking given by him to the court'.

It is worth mentioning here that Dr Khan had written a four-page letter, in which he had described about the illegal transfer of nuke know-how's to China, North Korea and Iran.

The letter, which was published by The Washington Post, has become a constant source of sensational stories put up by the foreign media, particularly in the western countries.

Besides that, Dr Khan, in a recent interview with a local channel had defended the act of sharing the nuclear technology with friendly countries, which could result in serious problems for Pakistan.

As far the terms of freedom granted to Dr. Khan by the court, it required strict adherence to the annexure 'A' attached with the verdict, The News reports.

According to the annexure, Dr Khan is forbidden from communicating with foreign journalists. Besides, he cannot address public gatherings also.

"Dr Khan should refrain from exploiting specific media personnel to influence public opinion on various national/international issues without the government clearance. He should refrain from indulging in any political activities and high-profile socialisation whatsoever," the annexure reads.

"That Dr Khan shall join the pending inquiry/investigation on proliferation as and when required by the competent officials. He is also directed to return any material or document, etc, on Pakistan's nuclear programme in his control, if any," it said. (ANI)