'US Controlled Pakistan's Nuclear Arsenal', Ex-CIA Officer Claims Pervez Musharraf Was Bought

Washington: Former CIA officer John Kiriakou has revealed many shocking secrets related to Pakistan's nuclear program. In an interview, he claimed that the US had "bought" former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf by paying him billions of dollars in exchange for US control over Pakistan's nuclear weapons.

Kiriakou, who spent 15 years at the CIA and led counterterrorism operations in Pakistan after 9/11, said, "We like to work with dictators because there is no public or media pressure. We bought Musharraf, and he let us do whatever we wanted in Pakistan." He revealed that in 2002, the Pentagon was unofficially informed that Musharraf had handed over the keys of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal to the US.

Musharraf's double game: cooperation with America, terror against India

Kiriaku accused Musharraf of dual policies. "They pretended to have counter-terrorism cooperation with the US, but the Pakistani military was not concerned about al-Qaeda—their real animosity was towards India." Musharraf kept the army and terrorist groups active against India while betraying America. Kiriaku said that America gave millions of dollars to Pakistan, but in return Pakistan kept promoting terrorism in India.

Saudi saved AQ Khan; America postponed action

The former CIA officer also made a big revelation about Pakistan's nuclear scientist Abdul Qadir Khan (AQ Khan). "We had complete information about Khan—his location, his daily routine, everything. We were going to eliminate him, like Israel does, but Saudi Arabia intervened." The Saudis said, "Leave him alone; we are dealing with him." The White House blocked the CIA and IAEA.

Kiriakou described this as America's "big mistake." "Saudi itself was increasing nuclear capability, hence saving Khan." Referring to the recent Saudi-Pakistan defense agreement (September 2025), he said Saudi is now recovering its "investment." Pakistani soldiers play an important role in the Saudi army.

America's dual policy: pretending to be democracy, proving selfishness

Kiriakou took a dig at American foreign policy. “We pretend to be defenders of democracy and human rights, but the truth is that we only look out for our own benefit.” The Saudi-US relationship is based on "oil and arms." A Saudi guard told him, "You are our hired guard—we have paid."

Changing world balance: Saudi, China, India new powers

Kiriakou said the global power balance is changing rapidly. "America now has oil itself; Saudi's need has reduced. That's why Saudi is strengthening relations with China and India." Praising India's "strategic patience," he warned that Pakistan would lose to India in a conventional war. "Leaving aside the issue of nuclear, Pakistan will still lose."