Latest news with #AbdulQadeerKhan
India.com
19 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
How Pakistani Scientist's Nuclear Black Market Fuelled Iran's Nuclear Ambitions
New Delhi: Before the world ever saw satellite images of buried centrifuges at Natanz, before the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) dispatched teams to inspect suspicious sites in Fordow and long before Israeli missiles lit up Iranian skies this month, the seeds of Tehran's nuclear capability were already sown. But it happened in Pakistan, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. At the center of this shadowy nuclear web was Abdul Qadeer Khan – Pakistani metallurgist who, decades ago, stole blueprints from Europe and built Pakistan's atomic bomb. What few could imagine then was that Khan would go on to export that know-how in secret, creating the world's most dangerous underground market for nuclear technology – one that would arm Iran with more than just ambition. Khan began his nuclear journey in the laboratories of Europe in the early 1970s, working for Urenco Group – a Dutch-German-British nuclear consortium. It was there that he accessed and copied sensitive centrifuge designs. By 1975, he returned to Pakistan with a suitcase full of secrets. His role in developing Pakistan's uranium enrichment programme at Kahuta earned him celebrity status at home. But while the world celebrated non-proliferation treaties, he quietly flipped the script. In the 1980s and 1990s, he built a secret pipeline that bypassed governments and treaties. Operating through shell companies, friendly states and willing middlemen, Khan's network smuggled critical nuclear equipment, blueprints and even bomb designs to multiple countries. Iran was one among them. The most consequential sale came in 1987. Iranian officials met intermediaries of Khan's network in Dubai and secured an initial package: centrifuge blueprints, assembly manuals and a roadmap to enrichment. These were based on the P1 and P2 centrifuges – the same models Pakistan used to develop its bomb. In the 1990s, entire sets of components – bellows, rotors, vacuum pumps and high-speed motors – made their way to Iran. Much of the hardware was built in Malaysian factories under Khan's supervision and then disguised and routed through Dubai to avoid detection. By the early 2000s, Iran had a pilot enrichment facility running. The world watched, stunned, as Tehran's capabilities grew faster than intelligence agencies had predicted. But the acceleration was not magic – it was the Khan blueprint at work. Khan's operation was not run out of basements or back alleys. It looked like legitimate business. Precision parts came from Europe and Southeast Asia. Firms like Scomi Precision Engineering in Malaysia manufactured rotors and pipes under the radar. Dubai-based logistics firms repackaged them for discreet delivery to Iran. One of the biggest exposes came in 2003, when U.S. and British forces intercepted a ship bound for Libya. Onboard were centrifuge parts matching Khan's designs. That led to Libya giving up its nuclear program and to the unraveling of the entire network. Investigations by the IAEA and Western intelligence revealed that Khan had sold similar materials to North Korea and Iran. Technical documents recovered from Iranian facilities bore unmistakable Pakistani signatures – even Chinese-style bomb schematics that Khan had allegedly passed along. What Did Iran Really Get? Centrifuge designs: Detailed plans for P1 and P2 centrifuges – blueprints, machining tolerances and assembly procedures. Manufactured parts: From rotors to vacuum systems, thousands of components were delivered over years. Weaponisation docs: Perhaps the most alarming were documents on how to build an implosion-style nuclear weapon. These were not basic concepts, they included measurements, trigger designs and engineering drawings. Technical support: Though no direct evidence exists of Pakistani scientists physically working in Iran, declassified files suggest consistent technical communication and support through intermediaries. The Lasting Impact Even today, Iran's centrifuge models – IR-1 and IR-2 – closely mirror Khan's P1s and P2s. While Iran insists its programme is peaceful, the technological DNA traces directly back to Khan's black-market empire. In 2022, Israeli intelligence leaked documents suggesting that Iran's 'AMAD Plan', an alleged nuclear weapons programme halted in 2003, used Khan-provided blueprints to model bomb designs. The war now raging between Israel and Iran has reignited fears that Tehran's decades-long accumulation of nuclear knowledge may still carry a weapons-grade potential. And while Iran denies any intent to build a bomb, its ability to do so was never entirely homegrown. It was bought, smuggled and built – piece by piece – in the shadows of Abdul Qadeer Khan's legacy.
The National
4 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Can Israel kill off Iran's nuclear programme?
As a clandestine enterprise, Iran 's nuclear programme was always as much about the scientists inside it as the leadership behind it. So it came as little surprise that the name Fereydoon Abbasi was on the target list when Israel launched its offensive against the programme last week. Abbasi had a distinguished career, which included a stint as head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran. In a TV panel appearance not so long ago, he sounded sanguine about the known threat to his life. He said that he was living normally, having handed over the duties under the programme to younger colleagues. This does beg the question as to why he was still on Israel's target list. But what cannot be denied is the importance of leading figures in programmes like the one Abbasi and his colleagues operated for Iran over several decades. Parallels can be made with Pakistan's nuclear programme, which made the late Abdul Qadeer Khan something of an international man of mystery. Had Khan not acquired the drawings of centrifuges while working in the Netherlands – blueprints that were later used in the Iranian programme as well – it is highly unlikely that Pakistan's nuclear capability would ever have been built. Khan also set up a procurement network that stretched far and wide to allow his country's programme to assemble the highly engineered equipment to master the atom and then weaponise it. Alex Younger, the former head of the UK's intelligence agency MI6, said on Monday that he did not believe Iran had crossed the threshold necessary to make a dash towards weaponisation, despite the outbreak of war. Instead, Mr Younger viewed Iran's programme of enrichment as its tool of leverage against isolation that had resulted from its failures to comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency's inspections regime. There is little doubt Abbasi was the central figure in the long-running interplay between Iran and the IAEA. The enrichment sites in Natanz, Fordow, Arak and Isfahan were built under his aegis and chosen for particular qualities, including factors such as the aridity of the region or its geological properties to facilitate maximum protection of underground facilities. In the game of nerves that lies behind these operations, Abbasi had known the value of these precautions. He had over the years seen his colleagues being assassinated with regularity by Mossad. The first attempt on his own life came in 2011. Something of a technological arms race has gone into these assassinations. A series of detonations involving magnetic bombs delivered on motorbikes or hidden on cars killed at least five of the scientists around that time. The 2011 attempt on Abbasi's life involved a motorcyclist attaching an explosive device on the side of the scientist's car. His colleague Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed on a Tehran highway almost exactly a decade later, when a satellite and AI-controlled device used a machine gun mounted on a Nissan pickup. These attacks continued over the years. In 2015, the distinguished experts Siegfried S Hecker and Abbas Milani argued that the assassination campaign was in principle deeply counterproductive. Within the field of nuclear research, the attacks amounted to a setback for the kind of international collaboration that was needed to 'deal effectively' with nuclear risks. 'Killing nuclear scientists makes reducing the threat of nuclear war harder, not easier,' their paper said. In 2015, distinguished experts argued that an Israeli assassination campaign against Iranian nuclear scientists was in principle deeply counterproductive In the world of procurement, there is a view that the opportunities for theft and replication of advanced weapon systems is diminishing – as is the role of people like Abbasi and Fakhrizadeh. The size of Iran's nuclear programme and the wider advanced missile manufacturing industry have grown so large that key figures could not possibly hold it all in their heads. A wide range of individuals is now undoubtedly involved. Eliminating one key figure is no longer a magical intervention. Ultimately, it is still an open question as to whether or not Abbasi's lifetime work will have opened the gate to an Iranian nuclear arsenal. Others from the same firmament have recently talked in these terms, indicating that the consensus at the highest levels of the system was now pointing in that direction. Former Iran foreign minister Kamal Kharazi, who heads supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations advisory, last year intimated that his country had the technological capability to make weapons and was under pressure to widen its military doctrine so that it could have access to its resources. Kharazi's intervention put a question mark over the role of the religious doctrine governing the policy, too. Nonetheless, Israel has set out to dismantle the matrix that has brought Iran to the brink of being a nuclear-armed state. The targeting of scientists shows that these men played a role every bit as important as the leaders in Iran's military ranks and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, some of whom were also killed last week.
Business Recorder
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Youm-e-Takbeer' Armed forces, CJCSC, services chiefs felicitate nation
RAWALPINDI: The Armed Forces of Pakistan, along with the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Services Chiefs, have extended heartfelt felicitations to the people of Pakistan on the 27th anniversary of Youm-e-Takbeer. According to a statement of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Youm-e-Takbeer commemorates the momentous occasion in 1998 when Pakistan emerged as a nuclear power, restoring the strategic balance in South Asia and asserting its sovereign right to self-defence. This historic achievement epitomises the nation's resolve, unity, and unwavering pursuit of a dignified and peaceful existence. Pakistan's strategic capability is a national trust, reflecting the collective aspirations of its people. The commemoration of Youm-e-Takbeer is a tribute to the foresight of visionary leadership, the brilliance of our scientists and engineers, and the countless contributions of all those who rendered Pakistan's defence unassailable. This day underscores Pakistan's steadfast commitment to preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity. It affirms our doctrine of credible minimum deterrence, rooted in the principle of maintaining peace and strategic stability in the region. The Armed Forces of Pakistan reiterate their unflinching resolve to defend the motherland against all threats across the full spectrum of conflict. As responsible custodians of the nation's strategic assets, we reaffirm that our nuclear capability remains solely for defensive purposes and stands as a guarantor of peace. Let this day renew our collective pledge to remain vigilant, united, and resolute in our commitment to the security, progress, and prosperity of our beloved homeland. The Armed Forces stand in solidarity with the nation, honouring the sacrifices that made this milestone possible and continuing the journey toward strength, stability, and self-reliance. The team of Pakistan's scientists led by founder of Pakistan's nuclear programme, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, and Dr Samar Mubarakmand carried out nuclear tests in the RasKoh Hills in the Chaghai District of Balochistan. In his message on the occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer, President said that Pakistan's nuclear capability continues to serve as a credible minimum deterrent that guarantees peace and ensures no one can undermine our sovereignty and national security. He said Pakistan does not seek conflict and is committed to the principles of peaceful coexistence and respect for international law. Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan demonstrated its strategic patience and commitment to peace in the face of recent unprovoked Indian aggression. In his message on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed Pakistan's nuclear journey and called for renewed unity and determination to transform the country into an economic power. The Prime Minister linked this year's commemoration with what he described as Pakistan's recent success in defending itself from an unjustified war imposed by India. He urged the nation to carry the spirit of Youm-e-Takbeer beyond defense and into economic transformation.
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Impregnable and invincible
Listen to article As the nation proudly celebrated Youm-e-Takbeer, it was highly indebted to the luminary nuclear scientists, the visionary political leadership and the resilient civil, military bureaucracy that underwent all odds for decades, but never compromised on its security and sovereignty. The Chagai May 28, 1998 atomic tests were in response to India's provocative jingoism of 'Smiling Buddha', and surely Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and Dr Samar Mubarakmand deserve our praise and salutation. Likewise, former PM Nawaz Sharif's apt decision to call the Indian bluff blessed Pakistan with the desired deterrence to stand tall among the comity of nations. This nuclear threshold has come to guard Pakistan as New Delhi opted for aggression early this month, and the befitting response from our armed forces and the nation is more than enough to keep the Hindutva-dispensation well within its limits. Pakistan, as the seventh nuclear power in the globe and the only one in the Islamic world, is a power to be reckoned with. Moreover, its impregnable defence exhibited its glory and the world, including India, today recognises its superiority in all forms and manifestations. The lethal response in self-defence, after four days of Indian onslaught, not only surprised the pundits of doom in India but also made global strategists come out in praise of Pakistan as it never let loose interstate and diplomatic ethics. Now is the time to build on that treasure trove and let the nation unite on a single cardinal principle: no to submission, and no compromise on security. There is an opportunity in disaster for India to start talking to Pakistan, and iron out the intricate differences on the diplomatic front. The two states have fought four wars: 1948, 1965, 1971 and 2025. More to it is the Kargil episode of 1999, and countless skirmishes, border clashes and intrusions. But the outcome is single-pointer: the dispute of Kashmir is in need of being resolved. Now India's shenanigans such as abrogating Kashmir's special status and suspending IWT are self-defeating in the long run. As Islamabad has offered to talk, it's time to demonstrate leadership and bury the hatchet for a better tomorrow.
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Why Dr AQ Khan still matters
Listen to article This nation dearly misses you, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan. You are remembered with deep respect and gratitude for gifting Pakistan the nuclear capability that has enabled the country to stand firm in its strategic defence. Your true worth was once again realised when India reacted like a raging elephant after the Pahalgam terrorist attack on 22 April, hastily accusing Pakistan without presenting any credible evidence. India launched an irresponsible and disproportionate response under a self-declared operation misleadingly named — Sindoor — after a false-flag activity. Civilian areas were targeted through air strikes conducted with drones and fighter jets. Pakistan's government and armed forces exercised the right to self-defence with remarkable professionalism and restraint. In response, the Pakistan Air Force not only defended our airspace but also humbled Indian military arrogance. The so-called superior Rafael jets failed to make an impact, while Pakistan's air defence successfully brought down three aircraft, including a MiG-21, and challenged the capabilities of the Su-30s. This defeat led to a sarcastic reinterpretation of Rafale in India — RAW Fail. India was taken aback by Pakistan's measured yet precise retaliation, which directly hit Indian military installations and air defence targets. The professionalism and precision of the PAF silenced the aggressive posturing of the Indian military, often dubbed the "mad elephant". The United States had to intervene to de-escalate the skirmishes, which were dangerously close to triggering a nuclear confrontation in South Asia. It is because of Dr AQ Khan's contributions that Pakistan today possesses a credible deterrent. His work has empowered the nation to stand tall in the face of external threats and deter aggression through strength. Though Pakistan may not match India in economic size, conventional military strength or war equipment on paper, it remains resolute and capable of defending its sovereignty under any circumstance. All honour and tribute go to Dr AQ Khan — the man who gave Pakistan the power to respond to threats on an equal footing. Let us now compare Pakistan and India in terms of military capability across the three branches — Army, Navy and Air Force — and evaluate their strengths in terms of war equipment and strategic positioning. India stands as the fourth-strongest military power in the world, while Pakistan is ranked 12th. India's total military strength is said to be nearly three times more than Pakistan's. It also possesses much more military arsenal than Pakistan does. Silencing the guns of a hegemonic India became possible when Pakistan declared itself a nuclear power capable of retaliation. This strategic milestone was achieved on 28 May 1998, when Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in the hills of Chagai — a moment now commemorated as Youm-e-Takbeer. At the heart of this historic moment was the unparalleled contribution of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan — the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme. A metallurgist with rare expertise, Dr AQ Khan had a singular mission: to make his homeland invincible. His relentless efforts transformed Pakistan from a security-dependent nation into a nuclear power with credible deterrence. The genesis of this nuclear journey lies in the painful memory of the 1971 war and the dismemberment of the country. It is no coincidence that then Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto — who famously stated, "we will eat grass, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own [nuclear bomb]" — laid the foundation of Pakistan's nuclear ambition. The humiliation of 1971 was a turning point. Pakistan realised that conventional military parity with India would never be enough. Nuclear deterrence was no longer a choice — it had become a strategic necessity. Today, we must ask ourselves: Are we doing enough to honour the sacrifices and genius that made this feat possible? Are we investing in science and technology beyond military applications? Are we preserving our national dignity not only through strength but also through progress? And in the end, we must not forget Dr AQ Khan's heartfelt words: "My biggest regret is working for this nation."
