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Islamabad: Pakistan's nuclear hero Dr A.Q. Khan was hospitalised yesterday for medical checkup and health care after he developed some infection, a military statement said.
The checkup revealed low blood pressure and fever, probably due to some infection, it said, adding that doctors were hopeful he would return home fully recovered in a couple of days.
The public would be kept informed about the state of health of Dr Khan periodically, the statement said.
It said the scientist had been keeping good health since his prostate surgery in September 2006.
The architect of Pakistan's nuclear programme fell from grace in February 2004 after he publicly confessed in an appearance on state-run television he had passed on nuclear secrets to other countries.
He had not named the countries but officials associated with an investigation into the proliferation ring had identified the beneficiaries as Iran, Libya and North Korea.
Virtual confinement
President Pervez Musharraf, who had hailed him as a national hero, pardoned him and since then Dr Khan has been living in virtual confinement at his residence in the capital.
Many in the country, including some political parties, have frequently alleged the nuclear hero was made a scapegoat, an allegation denied by the government.
Pakistan has consistently said the clandestine proliferation network had been dismantled after a thorough inquiry and it was a closed chapter.
Islamabad had shared results with major powers and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party and Islamic groups condemned the restrictions on Dr Khan during the campaign for the general elections held last month.
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