Kiriakou also claimed, in an interview with ANI cited by the Indian media, that Musharraf handed over control of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal to Washington. “Essentially, he would let us do whatever we wanted to do,” Kiriakou told ANI, while adding that Musharraf also had to placate his own military backers. Kiriakou accused Musharraf of playing a double game -- publicly aligning with the US on counter-terrorism while tolerating militant activity aimed at India to satisfy elements of Pakistan’s military. “He had to keep the military happy… they cared about India,” Kiriakou said, adding that India and Pakistan were “on the brink of war in 2002”. The former CIA officer also criticised Pakistan’s political elite, recalling a visit to Benazir Bhutto in exile.

Source: bd News24 October 25, 2025 17:37 UTC