Pakistan court keeps curbs on AQ Khan

Scientist who allegedly leaked secrets to Iran not allowed to talk about nukes.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
A Pakistan court has maintained restrictions on a nuclear scientist who allegedly leaked atomic weapons secrets to Iran, North Korea and Libya.
The court ruled Monday that Abdul Qadeer Khan was not allowed to talk about nuclear weapons technology and must inform security agencies before he leaves his house so they can accompany him wherever he goes.
It was ruling in response to a petition by Khan asking that some or all of those curbs be lifted.
His house is guarded by numerous security officials.
The ruling did not say whether they would be withdrawn.
Khan, the former head of Pakistan's nuclear and missile programs, wasplaced under house arrest in 2004 after confessing to running a networkthat sold machinery for making bomb-grade uranium to Iran, Libya andNorth Korea.
His release from house arrest in February 2009prompted criticism from the US, which demanded assurances from thePakistani authorities that he was not involved in sharing nuclearsecrets.
Pakistan said he no longer posed a risk because his smuggling network had been dismantled.
Khan is regarded as a hero by many in Pakistan for his key role in giving itthe Islamic world's first nuclear bomb in 1998, seen as a deterrentagainst archrival India.
Hilary Leila Kreiger contributed to this report