Dr AQ Khan's family refute reports of easing of restrictions on his movements

Islamabad, Apr 9 : The family members of Pakistan's detained nuclear scientist Dr AQ Khan have rejected the press reports suggesting that the Pakistan government had eased restrictions on his movements.

In separate letters Khan's wife and daughter blasted the claims that the new government was easing restrictions on Dr Khan.

"This is all a lie as nothing has changed so far," Ms Khan and her daughter Dina claimed in their notes.

Dina sharply reacted over reports of easing of curbs on his father. "You must know the news about my father's restrictions being lifted is completely false. According to the article I read, he (Dr Khan) has been allowed to meet six friends for dinner occasionally. That's nothing new. He's had that (facility) for months already. The circumstances have not changed at all. In fact, he was recently told that he should not speak to any journalists any more as his comments were being quoted in the press. How is that an easing of restrictions," The News quoted her as saying.

The version of Dina and scientist's wife Henny Khan had enabled the media and people to understand the facts which otherwise were being kept secret from their eyes for the last four years in the name of national interest. In that background, now the government has issued strict warning to Dr Khan and his family not to interact with the media.

In her message Henny Khan said: "I turn to you to clarify some misinformation printed in the article entitled 'Curbs on AQ Khan being eased'.

"First of all let me categorically state that there has been no easing up of any curbs," she said and explained that there was nothing new in the government claim of allowing more friends to meet her husband.

"No one has been added to this list despite the claims made by the government about two months ago that Dr Khan was allowed to see anyone he wished to see," Henny Khan claimed.

She also denied press reports claiming he was allowed limited travel. "The only time he is allowed to leave the house is when some tests are arranged in hospital or when he has to be admitted. Also, there are no brothers living in Murree or Nathiagali ± they all live in Karachi," she added.

ANI