Rumours about AQ 145;release146;

News of Pakistan government lifting restrictions on Khan8217;s meetings with his friends and associates for the first time after he was pardoned and placed under house arrest here broke out after a journalist working for Associated Press spoke to Khan over the phone to inquire about the latter8217;s health. Khan said he was recovering from treatment for prostate cancer, but declined to discuss other topics, AP reported. Asked about reports that rules have been relaxed for him, Khan reportedly said: 8220;No, we have not been informed8230;8221;

This is the first time Khan has spoken to a journalist since his house arrest in 2004. Japanese news agency Kyodo also reported today that restrictions on Khan have been eased. 8220;He is virtually a free man,8221; Kyodo quoted a high-level official responsible for Khan8217;s security as saying.

However, the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told a media briefing here 8220;there is no change in his status. He continues to lead a quiet life with his family8221;.

About the journalist8217;s conversation, which many here believed was officially arranged, she said: 8220;He Khan meets friends and he talks to people and this was happening even before this news report.8221;

Khan had confessed on national television on February 4, 2004, that he had transferred nuclear technology to North Korea, Iran and Libya.

The reports of lifting of restrictions set off speculation that Islamabad perhaps is attempting to pressure Washington to extend a civilian nuclear deal to Pakistan.