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WEEKLY
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| Suspended freedoms |
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Following an international outcry, the movements of nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan have once more been restricted. Dr Qadeer was freed last week on the orders of the Islamabad High Court. The government has said this decision will be challenged in the Supreme Court. But well before any final verdict could be delivered, guards have resumed duties outside Dr Qadeer's Islamabad home and reports say he is once again being prevented from leaving it
Moving beyond the controversy surrounding Dr Qadeer, we need to stick to some kind of principle. The irrefutable fact is that treating any citizen in this manner is illegal and grossly unjust. We do not know who issued the new orders regarding the detention. In any democracy, decisions should be transparent and the same rules must apply to all. This clearly is not happening in this case. The charges made against Dr Qadeer have never been brought before court. This is the reason for the chaos we see now. If Dr Qadeer is indeed guilty of the grave allegations made against him, this must be proved before a court and the facts put before people. The government must either grant Dr Qadeer liberty or begin a proper process of trial. Secret agreements, covert deals and other attempts to hide the truth will only add to the complications.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
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