RIYADH, 5 February 2004 — Reactions ranging from “hang him” to “pardon him” were expressed by Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia. They were referring to Abdul Qadeer Khan, the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear program and his acceptance yesterday of full responsibility for all leaks of Pakistani nuclear data.
While some said that he has already pleaded guilty and should be severely punished for what he had done, others felt that President Pervez Musharraf should consider the scientist’s request for clemency.
A cross-section of the Pakistani community in Riyadh has come out strongly in support of Khan and said his apology should be accepted.
“It’s a sad state of affairs that in India a scientist is president while here in Pakistan our nuclear scientist has been downgraded from the status of a hero to nothing,” said Shaukat Naeem Ghumman, marketing manager of the Al-Babtain Group.
Pakistani expatriates all felt that Khan’s role in making their country a nuclear power should not be glossed over even if he has sold nuclear secrets to Muslim countries. “The whole affair is shrouded in mystery. We don’t know the circumstances in which he leaked the secrets.”
Said Abdul Malik Mujahid, general manager of Maktaba Darussalam, an Islamic publishing house. “Pakistan should not cave in to US pressure to penalize a national hero. He should not be made a sacrificial goat for the fault of others. He deserves a presidential pardon,” he said.
One Pakistani said that even if Khan had leaked nuclear secrets to some Muslim countries, he had done nothing which is unprecedented. “Haven’t scientists from Russia and other countries leaked nuclear secrets? What about the cooperation between India and Israel in their nuclear programs? Besides, we should not forget that putting Khan on trial could open a Pandora’s box. We don’t know what other state secrets might fall out.”
Pakistanis in the Eastern Province were shocked by Khan’s confession. Some called it a “great betrayal,” while others felt that he should be pardoned, considering his contributions to the country. Despite being angry and upset, many Pakistanis in Dammam and Alkhobar felt that the president should pardon him. For Humayun Muzaffer, director of an international school, it was a great shock. “Dr. Khan should not have done this. I cannot understand why he leaked nuclear technology to other countries.”
In Jeddah, an angry Pakistani said simply, “Hang him.” He went on to explain, “Khan has parted with the nation’s secrets and should be severely punished so that others will learn a lesson.”
On the other hand, an advertising executive said, “Khan could not have leaked information to other countries without the knowledge of others in the power hierarchy. “
— Javid Hassan in Riyadh, Saeed Haider in Dammam & K.S. Ramkumar in Jeddah
