Islamabad: In a significant move to end the current probe into allegations of nuclear proliferation, the founder of Pakistan's nuclear programme Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan today (Feb 4, 2004) accepted full responsibility for transferring sensitive technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea and sought clemency from President Pervez Musharraf for his actions.

Khan "has accepted full responsibility for all the nuclear proliferation activities which were conducted by him during the period in which he was at the helm of affairs of Khan Research Laboratories," a Government statement said.

He also submitted "his mercy petition to the President and requested for clemency," it said.

Dr Khan, who was reported to be under house arrest for several weeks and questioned intensively by Pakistani investigators about the alleged transfer of nuclear technology, in a surprise move sought a meeting with Musharraf this morning, which was immediately granted. The two met at the President's Camp Office in Rawalpindi for over an hour.

After the meeting, Dr Khan told state-run PTV, "It was an extremely fine and helpful meeting. The President was exceptionally kind and understanding. We discussed this ongoing affair and the international campaign against Pakistan about nuclear matters.

"I explained all the things and gave him the background of what has happened and what is happening. He appreciated the frankness with which I gave him the details. Insha allah he will discuss the details with the Cabinet, Prime Minister and other colleagues and take decision on how to proceed about it."

The PTV said that Musharraf heard Dr Khan's account of events and said that he will take a decision after consulting the National Command Authority, which is in-charge of the nuclear matters.

"During the meeting, Dr Khan has re-confirmed to the President the details of the proliferation activities that he has committed in the past, which he admitted to the team of investigators appointed by the Government," PTV said.

Khan, while accepting full responsibility for nuclear leaks, submitted before the President that he has realised that these activities were in clear violation of various Pakistani laws and could have jeopardised the country's nuclear capabilities putting the nation at risk, it said.

"The President said that the entire nation has been severely traumatised by the unfortunate events of two months," a reference to the ongoing probe into nuclear proliferation, PTV said.