Pakistan's nuclear father not to contest election

Disgraced scientist A Q Khan, the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme, will not contest the general election on May 11 but will campaign for his party and its allies, a spokesman said today.
Khan, 76, recently formed the Tehrik-e-Tahaffuz Pakistan party and held talks with political leaders about forming alliances for the polls that will mark the first democratic transition in Pakistan's history.
"Doctor Abdul Qadeer Khan will not take part in the election but he will continue to support his party and its allies," TTP spokesman Rohail Akbar said.
"The party's candidates and our allies have obtained nomination papers and they will stand for election," he said.

Khan registered the Tehrik-e-Tahaffuz Pakistan with the Election Commission in November and was allotted the missile as the party's symbol.
He has said the party will focus on issues like corruption, inflation and an energy crisis during its campaign.
The scientist was placed under house arrest in 2004 after he confessed to running a clandestine nuclear proliferation ring.
He later retracted his confession and authorities eased restrictions on him in 2009.