Pakistan had ability to conduct N test in 1984, says AQ Khan

ISLAMABAD: Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, the father of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, said Pakistan had the ability and had planned to conduct a nuclear test in 1984, but General (retd) Zia opposed the idea as it would have curtailed international aid Pakistan was receiving due to the ongoing Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan claimed that he could bring the country out from crisis, adding that nuclear scientists were not given due respect in Pakistan.

He said the people who made Pakistan a nuclear state are facing the consequences of their act.

Dr Qadeer said Aitzaz Ahsan asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from where he earned money, adding that Aitzaz should also ask questions from Asif Ali Zardari about the money present in Swiss bank accounts.

“We were able and we had a plan to launch nuclear tests in 1984, however, the then President General Zia had opposed the move,” said the father of the country’s nuclear programme.

General Zia was of the opinion that the world would stop military aid if Pakistan opted for the nuclear test, Khan added. He also said that Pakistan is able to target Delhi from Kahuta in five minutes.

Dr Khan was addressing a gathering on the occasion of Youm-i-Takbeer. “Without my services Pakistan would never have been the first Muslim nuclear nation. We were able to achieve the capability under very tough circumstances, but we did it,” said Khan.

Referring to the treatment meted out to him during Musharraf’s era, Khan said nuclear scientists in the country have not been given the respect that they deserve. “We are facing the worst against our services to the country’s nuclear programme,” he added.

Referring to the Panama Papers, Khan stated that the politicians are looting the country and the Leak has exposed everything before the masses.