THE euphoria created by the removal of restrictions on Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan had hardly cheered the nation, when the government placed fresh restrictions on his movements. The Islamabad High Court on Friday set Dr Khan free because it felt that his network had been rendered ineffective. All would agree with this. Likewise, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had rightly insisted, while trying to allay international fears over the issue, that his chapter stood closed. But unfortunately, his release had set alarm bells ringing in western capitals. US officials have sharply objected to the IHC decision. It seems that the government has succumbed to this pressure and placed curbs that include restrictions on his movement, not allowing him to meet friends. The government must consider the issue in a proper light and avoid giving in to demands from outside. Not many are happy to see him a free man. Reportedly, he is on the hit list of Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. While he should be protected from such elements, the government must accord Dr Khan his rightful status.