A.Q. Khan hospitalized

Islamabad, Mar.5 : Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan has been hospitalised with a suspected infection, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate said on Wednesday.

Khan, who is widely regarded as the father of Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme, has been under house arrest since early 2004 when he confessed to passing atomic secrets to Iran, North Korea and Libya.

An ISPR statement said Khan had been in good health since he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2006.

On Tuesday, however, "he complained of weakness and was provided immediate medical treatment at home," the Dawn quoted an ISPR statement, as saying.

"Medical check-up revealed low blood pressure and fever, probably due to some infection. Doctors advised him to be hospitalised for a detailed medical checkup," the statement further added.

The 71-year-old scientist was admitted to a hospital early this morning, and is being cared for by a team of doctors who had treated him earlier.

"Doctors who are treating him are hopeful that Dr A.Q. Khan would return home fully recovered in a couple of days," the ISPR statement said.

ANI