N-plan initiated during ZAB regime: Dr Qadeer

Says missile programme launched during Benazir’s rule

ISLAMABAD: Renowned nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan on Monday said that nuclear programme was initiated during Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) regime while the missile programme was launched in Benazir Bhutto (BB) rule.

He said that Pakistan defence had become impregnable as it possessed a powerful arsenal of nuclear weapons. Addressing an award distribution ceremony here, Dr Qadeer said, "We acquired nuclear capability in a span of mere six years, which was a great milestone.”

Dr Qadeer said only Pakistanis and no foreigners were included in the team, which made Pakistan a nuclear state that was manifestation of the fact that Pakistanis were not less talented than others.

He said, "Our ancestors gave sacrifices for the creation of Pakistan" and he and his team of nuclear scientists strived hard for saving the country from the nuclear-armed enemy. He clarified that he or his family took no favours from the government and the house owned by him in Islamabad was purchased from the money he had saved in Holland.

Earlier, NPC Chairman Dr Naeem Ghani, in his welcome address, said that every year, the council gave awards to those who excelled in various fields of life. Muhammad Anwer, Shaikh Khurshid Hassan, and blind cricket team of Pakistan were given Quaid-i-Azam Award; Farkhanda Shamim and Dr M Afzal Babar, Allama Iqbal Award; Sadia Zaheer, Prof Dr Shahida Rasool and Insha Afsar, Fatima Jinnah Award; Nargis Gul, Gulafshan Tariq, Waqar Zaka, and women cricket team of Pakistan, Shaheen Award; Muhammad Ayub, Sir Syed Award; Raffay Ansari and Imran Malik, Dr A Q Khan Award; and Haji Mohammad Rafiq Giga, Zahid Malik Award.