WORLD
Pakistani authorities will interrogate disgraced nuclear scientist AQ Khan "at an appropriate time" for his claim that he tried to help Iran and Iraq develop nuclear weapons.
Pakistani authorities will interrogate disgraced nuclear scientist AQ Khan "at an appropriate time" for his claim that he tried to help Iran and Iraq develop nuclear weapons, a top government lawyer has said.
"The Lahore high court did not restrain the government from probing this sensitive matter. Rather, it had left it to the government to launch an investigation when it deems fit," said lawyer Ahmer Bilal Sufi.
Sufi had represented the government when the high court took up Khan's petition over the removal of security restrictions.
"The federal government will interrogate Khan at an appropriate time for the claim he made during an interview with The Washington Post that he tried to help Iran and Iraq develop nuclear weapons and that those deals were in the knowledge of the Pakistani government," he said.
"The government cannot let it go unnoticed as it is a very sensitive matter and may have repercussions for Pakistan's nuclear programme," he said.
Sufi pointed out that Khan had not yet served a legal notice on the journalist or The Washington Post for attributing such sensitive information to him.
"This shows that there is something fishy. The whole matter demands an immediate investigation," he said.
The Lahore high court had on March 29 ordered the government to ease restrictions on Khan's movements and directed it to provide him foolproof security.
However, the court barred Khan from giving interviews to the local and foreign media about the nuclear programme of Pakistan or any other country.
Pakistan government had been facing immense pressure from the US to restrict Khan's movements and to restrain him from interacting with the media.
The government is of the view that the contents of articles published in The Washington Post had national security implications for Pakistan, as they contained certain allegations related to its nuclear programme and nuclear cooperation. Furthermore, the articles were an attempt to affect Pakistan's friendly ties with Iran and Iraq.
Khan was put under house arrest in early 2004 after he confessed to running a clandestine proliferation ring.
He was freed four years later on the orders of a court and subsequently recanted his confession, saying it was made under pressure.
Raima Sen mourns Bharat Dev Varma's demise, pens emotional note for 'great father, great husband'
DNA TV Show: Ahead of Maharashtra poll results, MVA, Mahayuti engage in resort politics
Maharashtra: Stage set for assembly poll results; Mahayuti, MVA confident of their victories
All set for vote counting in Jharkhand tomorrow; NDA, JMM-led alliances confident of winning
Watch: Australia star inquires Rishabh Pant about his next IPL team, gets 2-word reply
Shah Rukh Khan’s house Mannat was first offered to his industry rival…, but he refused because...
The Visionary Who Promises a Blue Sky for India: Holger Thorsten Schubart’s G20 Climate Speech
The Surge of High-End Living: Luxury Residential Market to Outpace Other Segments
FeFCon 2024 to be Held in Bangalore: A Premier Event on Fever Management
'That’s wild': Noida man turns cigarette butts into teddy bears in viral video, watch
London Airport evacuates passengers over security threat, thousands stranded
The World’s First Innovative Iron Supplement to Combat Iron Deficiency and Anaemia
Meet grandmother who became fashion icon after trying on her granddaughter’s clothes
IND vs AUS: Rishabh Pant joins Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in elite WTC list, becomes 3rd Indian to...
'All scripted drama...': Puneet Superstar allegedly assaulted by influencers in viral video, watch
Actress Ana de Armas caught kissing Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s son in viral photos
Oreshnik's Shadow: Will Russia's hypersonic missile force west to back down?
‘You’re So Beautiful’: World’s tallest woman meets world’s shortest woman over tea, pics go viral
Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Consequences of GRAP-4 are drastic, may have adverse effects, says SC
Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Schools likely to stay closed till..., check city-wise update
Maharashtra: 3 killed, 9 hospitalised after gas leak at fertiliser plant in Sangli
THIS farm is selling a cup of coffee for Rs 28000, but there's a twist, it is...
Chhattisgarh: 10 Maoists killed after encounter with security personnel in Sukma
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT plan for Jio users, offers unlimited 5G access for 1 year for just Rs...
IND vs AUS 1st Test: KL Rahul's dismissal sparks DRS controversy in Perth Test
Dense fog, heavy rain predicted in these states till November 25; check here
Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile: Which nations are within its range?
Bihar teacher, principal reach school in drunken state; know what happened next
'I have faced a lot of...': Arjun Kapoor REVEALS his biggest fear amid break up with Malaika Arora
How millions of Indians may get affected due to US indictment of Gautam Adani in bribery case
Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan says 'missing someone is okay but...'
After Bibles, watches and sneakers, Donald Trump is now selling autographed guitars, price is...
Delhi pollution: Air quality improves to ‘very poor’ category, AQI at...
Vladimir Putin's BIG threat, warns he could strike UK with new ballistic missile if...
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 22, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here
Somebody misbehaved with Alia Bhatt on Highway sets then Imtiaz Ali had to...
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal reveals twist behind Rs 200000 job fee, closes application window
Days after Ratan Tata's demise, Tata Group's Rs 131000 crore company inks pact with ADB for...