Islamabad: Pakistan’s controversial nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, often regarded as the “father of the country’s atomic bomb,” has once again come under scrutiny following fresh allegations from retired CIA officer James Lawler. Lawler claimed that the United States dismantled Khan’s global nuclear smuggling network decades ago and alleged that Khan attempted to sell sensitive nuclear technology to foreign nations. He further compared Khan to a “merchant of death,” accusing him of operating with the support of Pakistani military generals and senior political leaders.
In an exclusive interview with news agency ANI, Lawler revealed that U.S. intelligence monitored Pakistan’s nuclear development programme for years but initially failed to detect Khan’s covert operations. According to him, the scale and intention behind Khan’s activities were far beyond what officials first suspected. “We never imagined he would sell nuclear technology,” Lawler said, adding that Khan’s network supplied not just centrifuge systems but also ballistic missile designs and even a Chinese nuclear bomb blueprint.
Lawler further alleged that Iran’s nuclear weapons development received a significant boost due to the technology supplied by Khan’s network. His remarks have reignited global debate about nuclear proliferation risks and Pakistan’s past involvement in sensitive international arms networks. Islamabad has not yet issued an official response to the latest claims.