Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD2456
2008-07-21 14:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
how-toVZCZCXRO2378 OO RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #2456 2031423 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 211423Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7875 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 8883 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 8325 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 3541 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 0052 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 5795 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 4574 RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002456
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2018
TAGS: PGOV PK PREL PTER
SUBJECT: COURT RULES ON AQ KHAN
REF: A. ISLAMABAD 2402
B. ISLAMABAD 2220 (NOTAL)
C. ISLAMABAD 1613
Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002456
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2018
TAGS: PGOV PK PREL PTER
SUBJECT: COURT RULES ON AQ KHAN
REF: A. ISLAMABAD 2402
B. ISLAMABAD 2220 (NOTAL)
C. ISLAMABAD 1613
Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: The Islamabad High Court July 21 expanded
AQ Khan's ability to visit friends and relatives within
Pakistan but banned Khan from giving press interviews. The
Court made clear that the GOP would continue to impose
security restrictions on Khan. The Attorney General and the
Law Minister will review this agreement July 22 and decide on
any further GOP action. This will be played in the media as
a popular victory for Khan, but the reality is that the GOP
will continue to curtail his freedoms. The GOP kept the
media leash on Khan, who had been threatening to expose
complicity by Musharraf and the Army in Khan's proliferation
network. Post will continue to monitor how the GOP is
enforcing security restrictions on Khan. End Summary.
2. (U) The Islamabad High Court July 21 made an
announcement regarding the petition filed by AQ Khan's
attorney and family (Ref A). The Court said that "Dr. AQ
Khan will be allowed to meet his close relatives and friends
subject to security clearance and necessary precautions taken
in regard to security and safety, which is of paramount
importance." The Court further said that Khan will not be
allowed to "give interviews to any channel, to a news
reporter from a print or electronic media in any manner
whatsoever in respect of the issue of proliferation." This
information is based on press reports only; Post is seeking a
copy of the Court's decision.
3. (C) Attorney General Malik Qayyum told A/DCM July 21 that
this was not so much of a ruling as an agreement between the
GOP and AQ Khan's lawyers. He confirmed that Khan would be
free to travel within Pakistan, but with restrictions. "The
permission can be withheld," said Qayyum, if Khan does not
abide by the rules. Qayyum is meeting July 22 with Law
Minster Naek to discuss the Court's agreement and next steps
for the GOP. Information Minister Rehman told A/DCM that the
GOP does not plan to issue a statement on the decision, but
she emphasized that the ruling prevented him from giving
press interviews. Rehman indicated that the GOP would be
seeking clarification of the names of relatives and friends
that Khan wished to visit. Representatives of the Strategic
Plans Division (SPD) declined to comment on the Court's
decision but SPD Director General LtGen (ret) Kidwai
previously had cautioned DCM (Ref C) that the GOP would abide
by the Court's ruling on the case.
4. (U) Commenting to the press on Dr. Khan's status, Dr.
Khan's lawyer explained the decision provided some freedom
for Khan to see friends and family. The GOP's lawyer noted
the decision mandates compliance, indicating the government
can charge Khan for violating any of the decision's
requirements. Khan's lawyer considered the decision a
victory because it recognized that Khan was being held under
virtual house arrest; this provided the basis for another
appeal as Khan has been pardoned and there are no legal
grounds to impose house arrest.
PATTERSON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2018
TAGS: PGOV PK PREL PTER
SUBJECT: COURT RULES ON AQ KHAN
REF: A. ISLAMABAD 2402
B. ISLAMABAD 2220 (NOTAL)
C. ISLAMABAD 1613
Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: The Islamabad High Court July 21 expanded
AQ Khan's ability to visit friends and relatives within
Pakistan but banned Khan from giving press interviews. The
Court made clear that the GOP would continue to impose
security restrictions on Khan. The Attorney General and the
Law Minister will review this agreement July 22 and decide on
any further GOP action. This will be played in the media as
a popular victory for Khan, but the reality is that the GOP
will continue to curtail his freedoms. The GOP kept the
media leash on Khan, who had been threatening to expose
complicity by Musharraf and the Army in Khan's proliferation
network. Post will continue to monitor how the GOP is
enforcing security restrictions on Khan. End Summary.
2. (U) The Islamabad High Court July 21 made an
announcement regarding the petition filed by AQ Khan's
attorney and family (Ref A). The Court said that "Dr. AQ
Khan will be allowed to meet his close relatives and friends
subject to security clearance and necessary precautions taken
in regard to security and safety, which is of paramount
importance." The Court further said that Khan will not be
allowed to "give interviews to any channel, to a news
reporter from a print or electronic media in any manner
whatsoever in respect of the issue of proliferation." This
information is based on press reports only; Post is seeking a
copy of the Court's decision.
3. (C) Attorney General Malik Qayyum told A/DCM July 21 that
this was not so much of a ruling as an agreement between the
GOP and AQ Khan's lawyers. He confirmed that Khan would be
free to travel within Pakistan, but with restrictions. "The
permission can be withheld," said Qayyum, if Khan does not
abide by the rules. Qayyum is meeting July 22 with Law
Minster Naek to discuss the Court's agreement and next steps
for the GOP. Information Minister Rehman told A/DCM that the
GOP does not plan to issue a statement on the decision, but
she emphasized that the ruling prevented him from giving
press interviews. Rehman indicated that the GOP would be
seeking clarification of the names of relatives and friends
that Khan wished to visit. Representatives of the Strategic
Plans Division (SPD) declined to comment on the Court's
decision but SPD Director General LtGen (ret) Kidwai
previously had cautioned DCM (Ref C) that the GOP would abide
by the Court's ruling on the case.
4. (U) Commenting to the press on Dr. Khan's status, Dr.
Khan's lawyer explained the decision provided some freedom
for Khan to see friends and family. The GOP's lawyer noted
the decision mandates compliance, indicating the government
can charge Khan for violating any of the decision's
requirements. Khan's lawyer considered the decision a
victory because it recognized that Khan was being held under
virtual house arrest; this provided the basis for another
appeal as Khan has been pardoned and there are no legal
grounds to impose house arrest.
PATTERSON