Pakistani president pardons country's top nuclear scientist
PLA Daily 2004-02-06
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Thursday said he had pardoned the country's top nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, who has accepted full responsibility for transferring nuclear secret abroad.
"I give him pardon. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan is my hero. He is a national hero," General Musharraf told a press conference in Rawalpindi, the twin city of Islamabad.
Earlier, a special meeting of the cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali decided to send its recommendations to President Pervez Musharraf to pardon the scientist.
"Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan has rendered sacrifices for the country and the nation," President Musharraf said.
In a televised statement Wednesday after meeting President Musharraf, Dr. Qadeer Khan accepted full responsibility for nuclear leaks and sought forgiveness from the nation.
Musharraf said last month to act against proliferators he described as enemies of the state, but there is widespread anger in the country at the decision to bring Qadeer Khan over TV.
The alliance of Islamic groups, Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) has called for nationwide protests Friday to support Qadeer Khan and other detained nuclear scientists, who they see as national heroes.
Khan's contributions made Pakistan to carry out nuclear tests in 1998.
Pakistan began its investigation in November after the UN nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency provided information to Pakistan about the alleged nuclear leak.
President Musharraf has said Pakistan will never allow technology transfer to other nations.
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