In a series of stunning revelations, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer John Kiriakou has claimed the United States provided millions of dollars to effectively “buy” Pakistan’s cooperation during the rule of former President Pervez Musharraf. He also claimed that Musharraf gave the Pentagon control of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons because he was worried they might end up with terrorists. In his interview with ANI, these statements suggest a complicated and transactional relationship during a key phase of the war on terror.
What Was the Nature of the US-Pakistan Deal?
John Kiriakou, who was stationed in Pakistan in 2002, stated that the US partnership with Musharraf was built on a foundation of financial aid and a preference for dealing with a dictator. “The United States loves working with dictators. Because then you don’t have to worry about public opinion and you don’t have to worry about the media anymore. And so we essentially just purchased Musharraf,” Kiriakou said. He detailed that the US provided “millions and millions and millions of dollars” in both military and economic aid. In return, Musharraf allowed American operatives to “do whatever we wanted to do,” granting them significant operational freedom within the country.
#WATCH | On the question of fear of nuclear weapons falling into terrorists’ hands in Pakistan, ex-CIA Officer, John Kiriakou says, “When I was stationed in Pakistan in 2002, I was told unofficially that the Pentagon controlled the Pakistani nuclear arsenal, and that Parvez… pic.twitter.com/iaKPpixhMZ
— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2025
Did the US Really Control Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons?
This is perhaps the most explosive claim from the interview. Kiriakou asserted that while he was stationed there, it was communicated to him that the US had oversight of Pakistan’s nuclear program. “When I was stationed in Pakistan in 2002, I was told unofficially that the Pentagon controlled the Pakistani nuclear arsenal, that Musharraf had turned control over to the United States because he was afraid of exactly what you just described (nuclear weapons falling into terrorist hands),” he told ANI. This alleged arrangement would have been a top-secret measure to secure the world’s first Islamic nuclear state amidst rising extremism.
Why Was Pakistan Allowed to Support Terrorism Against India?
Kiriakou provided a strategic rationale for Pakistan’s dual-faced policy. He explained that Musharraf was walking a tightrope. While taking American money and cooperation, he also had to placate his powerful military and extremist elements within the country. “So in order to keep the military happy and keep some of the extremists happy, he had to allow them to continue committing terror against India while pretending to cooperate with the Americans on counterterrorism,” Kiriakou said. This revelation suggests the US was aware of this dichotomy but tolerated it to maintain strategic access.
Why Didn’t the US Stop AQ Khan?
The former CIA officer also revealed why the US decided not to eliminate infamous nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan, who ran a global nuclear smuggling ring. Kiriakou stated that despite having the capability, the US refrained after “direct intervention” by the Saudi government. He claimed the Saudis told the US, “Please leave him alone… We like AQ Khan. We’re working with AQ Khan.” Kiriakou called succumbing to this pressure a major US policy failure and a “mistake,” allowing Khan to continue his proliferation activities. On India, he noted that the CIA expected a military strike on Pakistan after the 2001 Parliament and 2008 Mumbai attacks, but admired India’s “strategic patience” in not escalating militarily.
