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Disgraced nuclear scientist A Q Khan, declared a free man by a Pakistan court five years after he was put under house arrest, on Friday said Pakistan's military is capable of tackling any threats, including from India.
"The government is strong and the armed forces can tackle everyone," he said outside his heavily-guarded home while interacting with the media for the first time after the restrictions imposed on him were eased.
Khan stated this when asked if he had any advice for coping with possible threats from India in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.
However, he said "there is no threat, nothing like that has happened."
The scientist, who spoke to the media shortly after television channels reported that he had reached a secret out-of-court settlement with the government, said he had no plans to associate himself again with Pakistan's nuclear programme.
He said he would dedicate himself to educational activities, including starting new institutions and advising people in the sector.
To a question on international institutions wanting to quiz him in connection with nuclear proliferation, Khan said: "Nonsense, no comments. I am not obliged to give answers to anybody else. I am obliged only to answer to my government, not to any foreigner or anybody."