Disgraced Pakistani scientist A Q Khan,who ran a clandestine nuclear proliferation network,on Thursday filed a petition in a court seeking the removal of the protocol accorded to him by the government,saying that it made him feel like a "prisoner". In the petition,filed in the Lahore High Court by the scientist's lawyer,Khan challenged the protocol assigned to him by the federal government. Khan alleged that the protocol was "very restricting" and made him feel like a "prisoner". He said it should be done away with as he does not require it. The High Court will hold a hearing tomorrow to decide if the petition is to be admitted,officials said. In February,the Islamabad High Court declared Khan a "free citizen",effectively ending his house arrest. However,Khan has to inform authorities about his movements and security agencies are keeping a close eye on him. Khan was put under house arrest in February 2004 after he confessed on state-run PTV to running a proliferation ring that supplied nuclear equipment and know-how to countries like Libya and North Korea. Khan retracted the confession last year,saying it was made under pressure. He also blamed former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf for his ordeal.
