The Hindu : A.Q. Khan may be questioned further, says Pakistan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 10, 2004

International

International

A.Q. Khan may be questioned further, says Pakistan

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, FEB. 9 . In yet another twist to the nuclear secrets leak scandal, Pakistan announced today that Abdul Qadeer Khan had only been granted a conditional pardon and he may face further questioning.

"The pardon is specific to charges made so far and about the confessional statement doctor A.Q Khan made," the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman, Masood Khan, told reporters at the weekly news conference. He was responding to questions on the nature of pardon granted to Dr. Khan facing a probe for leaking nuclear secrets to other countries.

When a reporter said that the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, did not use the expression `conditional pardon' while accepting Dr. Khan's mercy petition, the spokesman asked reporters to note that he was making an `authorised' statement.

One journalist asked why Dr. Khan was pardoned in a "hush- hush" manner after a meeting with Gen. Musharraf and said it had tremendously affected the credibility of the country. The spokesman said he had been in touch with several media networks in the last few days and there were conflicting views on the pace of the probe. While one section felt that the investigation proceeded at a slow speed, another thought it was concluded too fast.

Mr. Khan said that Dr. Khan and his associates were being questioned for over two months and it was decided to take action against him at the most appropriate time. "It is not correct to suggest that the probe was conducted in a hurry. Gen. Musharraf took a considered decision after obtaining the views of the National Command Authority and the Cabinet on the basis of the confessional statement made by Dr. Khan."

The spokesman's latest statements are a clear indication that Pakistan does not believe that the last word has been said on the scandal. Islamabad could be apprehensive that more skeletons could tumble out of the cupboard.

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