Pakistan court declares AQ Khan a free man

Lahore: The architect of Pakistan's nuclear program has scored another court victory in his quest to ease restrictions on his movement, though it appears Abdul Qadeer Khan will remain subject to government surveillance.

The Lahore High Court ruled on Friday that Khan was a free man and could travel as he wished so long as he informed authorities ahead of time.

Khan was detained in December 2003, and in early 2004 he admitted on television that he operated a network that spread nuclear weapons technology to North Korea, Libya and Iran.

Despite international alarm over the evidence of proliferation, Khan was pardoned by then-President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and placed under de facto house arrest.