Abdul Qadeer Khan has made a full confession on Pakistani state television: Pakistan Nuke Scientist Asks Forgiveness.

The government said Abdul Qadeer Khan asked President Gen. Pervez Musharraf for forgiveness for selling atomic technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

“I have chosen to appear before you to offer my deepest regrets and unqualified apologies,” Khan said in a solemn speech broadcast on state television. “I take full responsibility for my actions and seek your pardon.”

Intelligence officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was an agreement not to prosecute Khan, who agreed to cooperate with investigators and give them all the required information for their probe into the nuclear transfers.

A friend of the scientist said Tuesday that Khan told him he gave nuclear weapons technology to other countries with the full knowledge of top army officials, including Musharraf.

But Khan said government officials were not involved in the leaks.

“I also wish to clarify that there was never ever any kind of authorization for these activities by the government,” he said.