ISLAMABAD - Eminent nuclear scientist and architect of Pakistan’s nuclear programme Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan said former dictator General (r) Pervez Musharraf had caused enormous damage to the country and could have pledged the country’s nuclear programme at the hands of his foreign master (United States).
In an interview to a magazine, Dr AQ Khan claimed that Musharraf handed over the top secret centrifuge of the country to the US; therefore, Musharraf was considered as a traitor. However, AQ Khan added that country’s nuclear programme was in safe hands and very powerful command and control authority was in place to take care of the nuclear assets of the country.
He further said Musharraf pushed the country into deep crisis and the country had to pay for the wrong steps of Musharraf for almost a decade, while it was still was paying off for his deeds in shape of unrest in Balochistan.
AQ Khan said, “Our beloved country has been facing numerous challenges; however, the US intervention in internal affairs of the country is a very grave issue”.
“As a one nation, we need to unite against the foreign aggression in the best interest of the country.”
To a question, he said he has nothing personal against Musharraf but considered him as a criminal who had damaged the whole nation.
Terming Musharraf as the killer of Nawab Akbar Bugti, he suggested that he (Musharraf) should be handed over to the chieftain of Bugti tribe, which would neutralise half the grievances of the Baloch people.
To a question about the allegations levelled against him for selling off the nuclear technology to foreign countries, Khan said he even could not think of sharing an iota of information of country’s nuclear programme with anyone.
He stated that Pakistan had not given any nuclear technology to any country, as he was all praise for Gen (r) Kidwai, who is heading the authority in most professional fashion.
AQ Khan said honest and capable leadership with the support of a team of technocrats of impeccable character could steer the country out of prevailing crisis and put the country on road to progress and prosperity.
He said Pakistan was blessed with enormous mineral and other resources and the only thing the nation need was a good team to exploit these resources for the welfare of people.