Islamabad HC to announce AQ Khan's petition

{image-Dr AQ Khan_21072008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Islamabad, Jul 21: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will hear a petition from the country"s nuclear scientist Dr AQ Khan demanding immediate release from house arrest on Monday, July 21, the court is expected to announce its verdict after hearing the petition.

Dr Khan"s counsel Barrister Javed Jafferi had filed a habeas corpus petition against the federal government seeking the nuclear scientist"s immediate release from state detention, a claim that the federation denies. According to the government, the nuclear scientist was a totally free man with no bounding over his movements. In a letter presented to the court, Dr Khan said that he had been 'misquoted" by the media, as he had not issued any statement compromising national interests.

“I cannot even imagine making a statement detrimental to the interests of my beloved country for which I and my family made so much sacrifice," Dr Khan said in the letter, noting that the media misquoted him on several occasions, and did not publish his clarifications, reported the Daily Times.

In the letter, Dr Khan also maintained that certain quarters with vested interests were carrying on smear campaign against him.

ANI