ISLAMABAD: The latest statement of Dr AQ Khan about the secret transfer of centrifuges from Pakistan to North Korea is unfortunate to say the least.

Coming from a person, who is regarded as the father of atomic bomb, it would hurt everybody.

Whether there is any truth in what Dr Khan is reported to have told a foreign wire service or not, the top nuclear scientist has done no service by uttering what would have come as music to the ears of the enemies of Pakistan and its nuclear programme.

But those who pushed Dr AQ Khan to the wall to such an extent that the man has started screaming on top of his voice, not caring who would pay the ultimate price, have also to be equally blamed in this sad episode.

Undoubtedly Khan is a national hero for what he has done for Pakistan. He is respected for the same reason by the masses no matter what President Musharraf did with him and in spite of his confession on the state-television that he was involved in the smuggling of nuclear designs to some foreign states.

People demand the lifting of all kinds of curbs imposed on him. Many even desire to see him as the president of Pakistan. But this hero of Pakistan is quoted to have told the Associated Press on Friday, "North Korea received centrifuges from Pakistan in a 2000 shipment supervised by the Army during the rule of President Pervez Musharraf."

He added that this uranium enrichment equipment was sent from Pakistan in a North Korean plane, which was loaded under the security of Pakistan security officials.

In his clarification on Geo TV, Dr Khan said that he had just explained what General Musharraf had told the whole world in his book, 'In the Line of Fire'. Of course, all this was not expected of a person with Dr Khan's background and knowledge. It was like issuing a charge sheet against his country and its institution, the Pakistan Army and our nuclear programme.

Yet if his outcry in utter desperation has provided the West and the enemies of Pakistan another whip to bash this country, it has to be admitted that the FIR on this issue was written by none other than the president cum Army Chief of Pakistan.

Why he had to do so has never been seriously questioned. And why after Dr AQ Khan was made the scapegoat, dumped with all the blame, quarantined for years from the outside world, was he not handled properly so that he may have spent his remaining years of life in quiet comfort, is another case of massive incompetence, immaturity and mishandling.

Perhaps out of his personal hatred against Musharraf, who grossly wronged him for years, AQ Khan lost his nerve as he is a sick man.

But the kind of blame game unleashed now would hurt President Musharraf less than Pakistan itself in addition to providing the international vultures a fresh opportunity to come after our nuclear programme.

Ideally no individual, including even a national hero, can be bigger than the country and Mr Khan should realise this. He is not an ordinary man so he has much greater responsibility than others.

He must weigh every word before uttering it, especially about the nuclear programme.

Dr Khan should now be handled with utmost care. He must get all the freedom and comfort that any national hero deserves but he should also be given proper security and protection as he carries the knowledge and details which any country in the world would try to obtain, even through the most expensive and covert spy operation.

To start with, the Pakistani government must offer Dr Khan an honest apology for the treatment he has received, compensate him and his family in any way he wants, anywhere in the world but he should also be kept away from the enemies, who will always keep trying to reach him. He should himself announce that he would never interact with the media, local or foreign.

A special security zone should be built for him at a safe place where every facility should be provided in house, including holding of literary or religious meetings with his friends and family members.

Very restricted and security cleared events of social nature could be allowed within that secure compound to keep Dr Khan busy and involved.

He should do some writing for the print media on subjects of national interest, economy, society, women's issues, human rights or geo-political situation.

He has to be helped in rebuilding his shattered life. Pakistan nuclear programme, which was initiated by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who brought AQ Khan from Holland for the purpose, was never compromised by any successive ruler. It was pursued vigorously and defended by every ruler because we know that the existence and security of Pakistan is connected with its nuclear programme and its strong defence. Dr Khan was a strong pillar of the programme.

We must be ashamed of treating him like dirt but if that has rescued our programme and saved the country from immense damage, it should be accepted as another sacrifice of Dr Khan for the country. He should be thanked for the humiliation he accepted and suffered not insulted publicly.