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Pakistan nuclear scientist AQ Khan launches political movement Pakistan nuclear scientist AQ Khan launches political movement
(about 5 hours later)
AQ Khan, the renegade Pakistani nuclear scientist, has launched his own political movement aimed at inspiring the youth vote, as the country gears up for an election. AQ Khan, the renegade Pakistani nuclear scientist, has launched his own political movement targeting the youth vote as the country gears up for an election.
Khan's entry into politics could alarm many in the west, who regard the case he was involved in as one of the worst examples of nuclear proliferation in history – his customers included Iran and Libya. But he still enjoys hero status in Pakistan, while the religious right lauds him for having created the "Islamic bomb". Khan's entry into politics could alarm many in the west, after his involvement in spreading nuclear technology to customers including Iran and Libya. He enjoys hero status in Pakistan, while the religious right lauds him for having created the "Islamic bomb".
Khan told the Guardian that he wanted to ensure that the growing younger population uses its vote, "not sit at home", and cast their ballot against the established politicians. Khan said he wanted the growing younger population to cast its ballot, and "not sit at home", against the established politicians.
"We need a new generation of political people and technocrats," said Khan. "My message to young voters is: don't bring these old politicians back. Don't give your vote to thieves and liars. But who exactly they vote for, is up to them.""We need a new generation of political people and technocrats," said Khan. "My message to young voters is: don't bring these old politicians back. Don't give your vote to thieves and liars. But who exactly they vote for, is up to them."
Khan said that his Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz Pakistan, or TTP, which means Movement to Save Pakistan, was aimed at getting the younger voter engaged. He said that he did not plan, at the moment, to contest the election. However, further evolution of his political organisation is "in the hands of God". Khan said the movement was aimed at engaging younger voters. He did not plan, at the moment, to contest the election. However, further evolution of his political organisation is "in the hands of God".
Khan headed Pakistan's nuclear programme, which stole technology from other countries to build a weapon. In 2004, Pakistan was forced to confront Khan about his nuclear dealings, after evidence was shown to Islamabad by the United States.Khan headed Pakistan's nuclear programme, which stole technology from other countries to build a weapon. In 2004, Pakistan was forced to confront Khan about his nuclear dealings, after evidence was shown to Islamabad by the United States.
He was punished only with house arrest, but even those restrictions have since been lifted, despite the fact that Washington still regards him as a "serious proliferation risk".He was punished only with house arrest, but even those restrictions have since been lifted, despite the fact that Washington still regards him as a "serious proliferation risk".
He said that he planned to tour universities and speak to lawyers and other professionals with his message of change.He said that he planned to tour universities and speak to lawyers and other professionals with his message of change.
"Our people are clever and they can decide these things. After all, I used our people here to create the bomb.""Our people are clever and they can decide these things. After all, I used our people here to create the bomb."
Elections must be called by March next year but it is possible that polls will be held this autumn. Traditionally, the two big political parties, the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, and the Pakistan Muslim League-N, led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, alternate in power. Elections must be called by March next year but it is possible that polls will be held this autumn. Traditionally, the two big political parties, the ruling Pakistan People'x party and the Pakistan Muslim League-N, led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, alternate in power.
However, this time they are expected to face a strong challenge from newcomer Imran Khan, the ex-cricketer. But AQ Khan said that the cricket legend had picked too many "old faces" to make his party attractive. However, this time they are expected to face a strong challenge from newcomer Imran Khan, the former cricketer. But AQ Khan said that the cricket legend had picked too many "old faces" to make his party attractive.