Dr. Qadeer responsible for N-proliferation: Musharraf

NEW YORK: Former President Pervez Musharraf has said missile tests of Ghauri I and Ghauri II failed and Dr. Qadeer Khan is well aware of all this, Geo News reported.

He said those goods, which Dr. Qadeer would import or export, would be exempted from checking at customs therefore none dared to touch them. Only Dr. Qadeer Khan is responsible for nuclear proliferation.

He was allowed to go anywhere upon informing the government officials when I was on charge being president of Pakistan, Musharraf said, dispelling the impressions that Dr. Qadeer would remain under house arrest.

Supporting his decision to place precincts upon AQ Khan, Musharraf said he provided protection to Dr Qadeer Khan by means of putting ban on him as foreign forces were becoming mad to take him from Pakistan.

This Pervez Musharraf said, responding to a question posed by Jang News correspondent here in New York.

To a question, Musharraf said Dr. Qadeer Khan was an expert at Metallurgy science and did some work in nuclear enrichment whereas other scientists played major role in making Pakistan nuclear power but only considering him being hero, is injustice to other scientists.

Admitting that a letter he received from former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, he said BB wrote me a letter, carrying three names whom she thought would attack on her, but I believe that Baitullah Mehsood assassinated her.

Those three persons, indicated in her letter, were Pervez Ilahi, Brig (Retd.) Ijaz Shah and General (retd.) Hameed Gul, he said.

“Baitullah Mehsood was the master mind of her assassination,” he claimed adding, “But I cannot confirm who might be behind the plot to kill Benazir.”

Musharraf said Lal Mosque issue is being politicized only. There were only 125 persons in mosque as all women and girls had gone off the mosques before attack.