Global Security Newswire

The Pakistani leadership wants to limit the permitted activities of former top nuclear scientist and proliferator Abdul Qadeer Khan out of fears that he constitutes a threat to the country's security interests, United Press International reported today (see GSN, Oct. 5, 2009).

Khan, who has confessed to providing nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea, was released from a five-year term of house arrest in 2009.

Islamabad told the Lahore High Court that should Khan retain the full rights of a normal citizen he could disclose to foreign news organizations information that would harm national interests, Dawn reported. Khan has already given away some information to news organizations, according to the government.

The government has requested that security guards be attached to Khan and that he continue to be closely monitored.

"Mr. Khan should be prevented from giving interviews, meeting people and moving around without security clearance," stated the government's petition, according to the Press Trust of India.

In recent weeks, the international media has carried stories alleging that Pakistan in the past collaborated with North Korea and China in the development of nuclear weapons. Those stories relied principally on documents alleged to have been shared by Khan (see GSN, Jan. 4, and Nov. 20, 2009).

Government lawyer Ahmer Bilal Soofi was reported to say that news reports in local and international media have shared sensitive details on Pakistan's nuclear efforts and that those stories were intended to harm the country's reputation.

Khan has until Monday to respond to the government's petition, the Daily Times reported (United Press International, Jan. 20).

The High Court has previously elected to not restrict Khan's movements and activities, the Xinhua News Agency reported (Xinhua News Agency/People's Daily Online, Jan. 19).