Government cannot interfere in judicial matters: PM LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani has said government cannot interfere in judicial matters. Prime Minister said this while talking to media men at Lahore airport Friday. Governor Punjab Suleman Taseer, senior provincial minister Raja Riaz, MNAs, MPAs and others were also present on the occasion. To a question about Islamabad High Court verdict with respect to Dr A Q Khan he said Dr A Q Khan had himself said the decision had not been given under some one’s pressure. Responding to a question about withdrawal of all cases against him, Prime Minister said "with whom I will strike deal.. "After being sworn in as premier I had announced on the floor of parliament that I had pardoned every one. Prime minister said as far as Punjab governor Suleman Taseer meetings with PML-Q leaders was concerned, "governor lives here and this question be asked from him whenever he meets you in isolation". To another question he said UN commission would work according to its mandate in Benazir Bhutto assassination case. As far as the matter that as to why we had not held the investigation in Pakistan was concerned it was because we did not want any controversy should arise in this respect. Moreover, parliament and provincial assemblies through resolutions had also called for UN probe into the case, he added. To another question prime minister said he would seek report from NADRA as to why facility for free of cost National Identity Cards was not being provided to the people despite clear directives of federal government in this regard. . Regarding lawyers long march he said long march, protest movements were part of democracy. "We have been staging long marches and holding protest rallies. This is right of lawyers and opposition that they stage long march. Government has no objection on long march if no law and order situation is created", he underlined. Replying to a question about Kashmir issue he said "we had discussed this issue in forceful manner with UN general secretary. By observing solidarity day on February, we had given message to the whole world that Pakistan had not backtracked from its principled stand on this issue. Seeking right to self-determination for people of Kashmir is part of our foreign policy. We want this right be given to Kashmiris in line with UN resolutions. To another question he said violence in politics was deplorable. Violence was not part of politics and "we condemn it at every level. Not only the persons of our party but those of other parties had also been killed, he added. He dispelled the impression that PPP had been pushed to wall in Punjab. "We are part of Punjab government. Had it been so, we would not have stayed in government", he remarked. Answering to another question he said the whole world was supporting Pakistan stance in connection with Mumbai strikes. Pakistan would bring to media investigation report till Monday or Tuesday which had been worked out on the basis of evidence provided by India, he told. "We will not keep any thing secret in this respect. We will also not want our soil is used for terrorism", he underscored. To another question he said Pakistan would welcome envoy nominated by US president Barack Obama to look into matters of Pakistan and Afghanistan. "We want regional issues are resolved", he added.
Last Friday, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, a Pakistani nuclear scientist, was freed from detention. Khan was detained under house arrest since 2004, he made a televised confession of selling nuclear secrets to Libya, Iran and North Korea. He is widely regarded as the founder of Pakistan's nuclear program, and most famous as a national hero. 

Dr. Qadeer filed a petition at the Islamabad High Court against the government, to address his detention and house arrest. He was freed and now lives as a "free citizen," but the terms upon which he and the government agreed remain secret.

He sent his regards to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, and the Interior Adviser, and thanked them for their stance opposing his detention. 

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was "very much concerned" about Khan's release. One of the spokesmen, Gordon Duguid, said Khan "remains a serious proliferation risk" and releasing him would be "extremely regrettable". Gillani has rejected such remarks, saying that Dr. Qadeer's network has been dismantled and said that he has been released under Court orders.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi tried to calm international worries. He reiterated that Khan's network had been broken up and said that the government reserves the right to appeal the court's ruling.

Khan, who is now 72 years old and has received treatment for prostate cancer, told reporters that he was finished with nuclear work and plans to devote himself to education.