Not surprisingly, stories conflict on how free Khan now is, or has been.
By Munir Ahmad for the Associated Press:
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Authorities have eased the virtual house arrest imposed
on A.Q. Khan, the disgraced scientist who sold Pakistan’s nuclear secrets to Iran, North Korea and Libya, officials said Monday.
In what is believed to be his first public comment in about three years, Khan told The Associated Press that he was recovering from treatment for cancer, but declined to discuss other topics.
Khan, 71, the architect of Pakistan’s nuclear program, confessed in 2004 to heading an international ring of smugglers that supplied sensitive technology to Iran and
others.
President Gen. Pervez Musharraf pardoned him while confining him to his tightly
guarded villa in the capital, Islamabad. He has been permitted few visitors.
However, two senior government officials told the AP that the restrictions were eased several months ago and that Khan could now meet friends and relatives either at his home or elsewhere in Pakistan.
Story #1:
“He is virtually a free citizen,” said one of the officials, who is attached to the nuclear program.
Story #2:
However, the second official said Khan was only allowed to meet associates and
relatives on a list approved by authorities, who would continue to provide him with a security detail that will restrict his movements.
Both asked for anonymity because of the sensitivity of Khan’s case.
Story #3:
Asked whether the government has relaxed restrictions on Khan, Foreign Ministry
spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said “there is no change in his status. He continues to lead a quiet life with his family.”
[…]
Khan is still regarded as a national hero by many Pakistanis because of his role in developing the country’s nuclear deterrent against its larger neighbor India.
Pakistan launched a formal investigation into Khan’s dealings in 2003 after the
International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, wrote a letter to Pakistan
saying that Khan was operating a black market in weapons technology and know-
how.
Pakistan’s government maintains it was not aware of his dealings, but has
repeatedly refused to allow the IAEA to question him.
Several U.S. lawmakers warned last week that Khan’s network could still be in business and pressed for Pakistan to provide more information.
However, Pakistan says it has shared the findings of its own probe and the Bush
administration has repeatedly praised Islamabad for its help in preventing further nuclear
proliferation.
One of the officials who spoke Monday said no country had asked to “directly
interrogate” Khan and reiterated that the investigation was over.