Islamabad (PTI): The Pakistan government has allowed scientist A Q Khan, under house arrest here for the past four years after he admitted to proliferating nuclear secrets, to travel to Karachi to meet his ailing brother.

Khan's brother 90-year-old Abdul Qayyum is currently admitted in a Karachi hospital. The scientist is likely to leave for Karachi in a day or two but the date and time of his departure is being kept secret due to security issues.

Following the easing of restrictions on his movements, Khan requested the government to allow him to meet his brother in Karachi. He has also been allowed to meet his close relatives and friends in Karachi. "Dr Khan would also meet his sister, daughter, close relatives and old friends. The government has already relaxed restrictions on Dr Khan," The Nation newspaper today quoted sources as saying.

Earlier this week, Khan visited the Academy of Sciences in the federal capital to meet his old friends, including Misbah-ur-Rehman. He spent about three hours at the academy during the rare public appearance.