- News>
- Asia
`Musharraf knew of nuclear technology transfers`
Islamabad, Feb 03: The father of Pakistan`s nuclear programme has reportedly told investigators he gave nuclear weapons technology to other countries with the full knowledge of top army officials, including now-President General Pervez Musharraf, a friend of the scientist said on Tuesday.
Islamabad, Feb 03: The father of Pakistan's nuclear programme has reportedly told investigators he gave nuclear weapons technology to other countries with the full knowledge of top army officials, including now-President General Pervez Musharraf, a friend of the scientist said on Tuesday.
Abdul Qadeer Khan, Pakistan's top nuclear scientist, told the friend he hadn't violated Pakistan's laws by giving "disused centrifuge machines" and other equipment to Iran, North Korea and other countries, the friend said on condition of anonymity.
"Whatever I did, it was in the knowledge of the bosses," Khan's friend quoted him as saying last week. Khan also told the friend that two former military chiefs -- General Mirza Aslam Beg and General Jehangir Karamat -- and even Musharraf were "aware of everything" he was doing.
However, military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan denied Musharraf was privy to any transfer of nuclear technology or authorized Khan to do it. Related Stories [X] close Equipment from Pak N-lab went to Iran, N Korea, Libya, Malaysia » AQ Khan points finger at former Pakistan army chiefs » Pakistan will decide whether to prosecute Qadeer: US » 'Musharraf knew of nuclear technology transfers' Associated Press Islamabad, February 3 The father of Pakistan's nuclear programme has reportedly told investigators he gave nuclear weapons technology to other countries with the full knowledge of top army officials, including now-President General Pervez Musharraf, a friend of the scientist said on Tuesday.
Abdul Qadeer Khan, Pakistan's top nuclear scientist, told the friend he hadn't violated Pakistan's laws by giving "disused centrifuge machines" and other equipment to Iran, North Korea and other countries, the friend said on condition of anonymity.
"Whatever I did, it was in the knowledge of the bosses," Khan's friend quoted him as saying last week. Khan also told the friend that two former military chiefs -- General Mirza Aslam Beg and General Jehangir Karamat -- and even Musharraf were "aware of everything" he was doing.
However, military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan denied Musharraf was privy to any transfer of nuclear technology or authorized Khan to do it.
"It is absolutely wrong," Sultan said. Musharraf "was not involved in any such matter," he said.
Khan, who gave Pakistan the Islamic world's first nuclear bomb, was removed Sunday from his post as scientific adviser to the prime minister. He also confessed to investigators he had leaked nuclear secrets to other countries. Bureau Report
"Whatever I did, it was in the knowledge of the bosses," Khan's friend quoted him as saying last week. Khan also told the friend that two former military chiefs -- General Mirza Aslam Beg and General Jehangir Karamat -- and even Musharraf were "aware of everything" he was doing.
However, military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan denied Musharraf was privy to any transfer of nuclear technology or authorized Khan to do it. Related Stories [X] close Equipment from Pak N-lab went to Iran, N Korea, Libya, Malaysia » AQ Khan points finger at former Pakistan army chiefs » Pakistan will decide whether to prosecute Qadeer: US » 'Musharraf knew of nuclear technology transfers' Associated Press Islamabad, February 3 The father of Pakistan's nuclear programme has reportedly told investigators he gave nuclear weapons technology to other countries with the full knowledge of top army officials, including now-President General Pervez Musharraf, a friend of the scientist said on Tuesday.
Abdul Qadeer Khan, Pakistan's top nuclear scientist, told the friend he hadn't violated Pakistan's laws by giving "disused centrifuge machines" and other equipment to Iran, North Korea and other countries, the friend said on condition of anonymity.
"Whatever I did, it was in the knowledge of the bosses," Khan's friend quoted him as saying last week. Khan also told the friend that two former military chiefs -- General Mirza Aslam Beg and General Jehangir Karamat -- and even Musharraf were "aware of everything" he was doing.
However, military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan denied Musharraf was privy to any transfer of nuclear technology or authorized Khan to do it.
"It is absolutely wrong," Sultan said. Musharraf "was not involved in any such matter," he said.
Khan, who gave Pakistan the Islamic world's first nuclear bomb, was removed Sunday from his post as scientific adviser to the prime minister. He also confessed to investigators he had leaked nuclear secrets to other countries. Bureau Report