Musharraf says Dr Qadeer knelt before him, cried and sought forgiveness

ISLAMABAD: Former army chief Pervez Musharraf has revealed on Tuesday that George Tenet, former Central Intelligence Agency chief, showed him irrefutable evidence against Pakistan’s nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan in a one-on-one early morning meeting in his suite during his United States visit.

In an interview, former dictator said that George W Bush asked him to hold a meeting with CIA chief before he left for Pakistan, saying that it was very important.

He said that Tenet handed him over photographic and black and white evidence confirming AQ Khan’s involvement in proliferation through a Sri Lankan front man who acted as a double agent, the other side for the United States. Musharraf narrated that he summoned Dr Khan upon his return who after he was confronted, knelt before him and cried.

However, he went on to apologise to the nation in a television broadcast following which he was removed from his post. The former army chief said that the intelligence communication between Pakistan and US agencies was focused on handing the man over which he said he had denied.

To tell the truth, Musharraf added that he was not under a house arrest but it was for his protection. He said that he had never been more embarrassed in his life than what he went through after George Tenet showed him the irrefutable evidence.

 The former dictator who is dubbed as one of the most closest Pakistani leaders to the United States said that he had given a presentation to than premier Nawaz Sharif in General Headquarters (GHQ).

While answering a question about why Pakistan’s intelligence agencies could not find out the ‘hole in the boat’ before the United States, Musharraf said that being an autonomous body, Khan Research Laboratories had its own security and it was completely cut off from agencies.

However, he did not disagree with the security approach and lauded his predecessors for opting for the strategy as he cited if the world turns against you, you have to have a strategy like that. He denied the claims that he had provided Dr A Q Khan a speech to read out to the nation.

Pervez Musharraf said that Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan's picture was among the photos that than-US President George W. Bush had showed to him of the infamous nuclear deal taking place. "Dr Qadeer grabbed my knees while crying and asked for my forgiveness," he said.

"I accepted the pressure but never handed Dr Qadeer to any country," he said. "Now that he speaks against me, it surprises me a lot," he added. Meanwhile, talking to The News Dr A Q Khan rubbished the claims made by former dictator Prevez Musharraf. He said Musharraf had sold himself to Americans and he is a liar and traitor. He said whatever, he said about me is totally untrue. He said, "the former dictator had made a deal on me with the US and continued to say to me that you are a hero of the nation." He said former prime minister Zafrullah Khan Jamali in an interview had admitted that Mush was ready to hand over Dr Qadeer to US.