AQ Khan was betrayed after confession, says widow

KARACHI: Nearly four years after his death, the widow of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan says the personal cost of Pakistan’s nuclear programme remains unresolved -- and marked by betrayal.

Hendrina Khan says her husband accepted becoming the “scapegoat” for the country’s proliferation scandal on assurances from then-President Pervez Musharraf, but those promises were quickly broken.

“He accepted the role of scapegoat,” Hendrina said in an interview given to her granddaughter and posted on the latter’s YouTube channel, revealing that her late husband was given verbal assurances by the then president, including a full pardon and limited house arrest. “But within days, the terms changed. That betrayal hurt him deeply.”

Discussions on the importance of Dr AQ Khan’s role in making Pakistan a nuclear force reemerged following the recently celebrated Youm-e-Taqbeer event on May 28 at state level.

In a separate interview, responding to a question about Dr AQ Khan being overlooked during the celebrations, PM’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah said that while Dr AQ Khan is respected for his scientific contributions, he should not be considered a national hero.

Sanaullah asserted that the real credit for making Pakistan a nuclear power belongs to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who made the critical decision to conduct nuclear tests in 1998. He also acknowledged the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for initiating the nuclear programme but maintained that Sharif’s leadership marked the defining moment.

As Pakistan reassesses its national security posture amid changing geopolitical dynamics, especially in the wake of the Pakistan-India standoff in early May, the story of Abdul Qadeer Khan remains a significant chapter in the nation’s modern history -- marked by scientific achievement, complex politics and lingering debate.

At home, Khan became a symbol of national pride. Abroad, he became a subject of scrutiny. In 2004, amid mounting pressure from the US and international watchdogs, Khan publicly accepted responsibility for proliferation-related activities -- a confession broadcast nationwide.

According to Hendrina, that statement came under duress. “He was assured protection and rehabilitation,” she said. “But within three days, Musharraf backtracked.”

The period that followed, she recalled, was marked by isolation and emotional strain. “It was not just about him -- the entire team faced humiliation. It was deeply painful.”

Despite the turmoil, Hendrina described her late husband as unwavering in his patriotism and sense of mission. “He always said he would only return to Pakistan if he could do something meaningful. That belief sustained him -- even during house arrest.”

She also reflected on the toll the project took on their family. Having moved from Europe to Pakistan in the mid-1970s, the couple and their young daughters faced stark living conditions, with little infrastructure or support. “Those first years were very hard,” she said.

Khan died in October 2021. While the state held an official funeral, Hendrina believes his contributions remain underappreciated. “His legacy has been obscured by politics,” she said. “But history will remember the difference he made.”