Abdul Qadeer Khan

Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan was put in charge of Pakistan's uranium enrichment program in 1976. In 1987, Khan confirmed that Pakistan was able to produce nuclear weapons. In 2003, he signed a confession stating that he provided designs and technology to Iran, Libya, and North Korea to help with their nuclear weapons program.

On February 6, 2009, a Pakistani court freed Khan after five years of house arrest, ruling that his detention was unlawful. When media sources asked Khan about his role masterminding the black market nuclear research network, he said "I don't want to discuss the past."London Times: Pakistan releases Abdul Qadeer Khan - the man behind a nuclear black market (February 6, 2009)

Pakistan conducted its first nuclear test in 1998. Nearly identical programs the next year in Iran, North Korea and Libya made western governments including U.S. President George W. Bush suspicious that Pakistan was selling secrets. The interception of a shipment to Libya in 2003 provided proof. In 2004, Khan confessed that he had been supplied nuclear equipment and secrets to foreign companies.Guardian: Abdul Qadeer Khan (February 6, 2009)

Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf pardoned Khan in 2004, but put him under house arrest. In 2008, Khan disowned the confession, saying that Musharraf had forced him to confess.Guardian: Abdul Qadeer Khan (February 6, 2009) He was released from house arrest in February, 2009.AFP: A.Q. Khan release to weigh on aid: US lawmaker (February 6, 2009)

"US officials have been prevented from interviewing Khan to try to determine the extent of the damage [Khan] has done to world stability. Congress will take this into account as we review and create legislation on US-Pakistan relations and the circumstances under which US assistance is provided to Islamabad"—U.S. Representative Howard BermanAFP: A.Q. Khan release to weigh on aid: US lawmaker (February 6, 2009)