The story of how 'Kahuta Plant' came into existence is not only an interesting one, but inspires our feelings of patriotism and national honor as well. It starts at the time when Dr. Abdul Oadeer Khan was preparing for his Doctorate in Belgium in 1971. He had been deeply moved by his patriotic feelings on the separation of East Pakistan so he decided to work for his country.

He went to Holland and started his work in Nuclear Field. When the time arrived, he himself offered his services to the Government and came to Pakistan in 1974. He has been successful in developing a new technology known as 'Centrifuge Technology' which was the latest and the cheapest one in the field. It serves for separation of enriched Uranium from the normal grade Uranium. The enriched Uranium is used in Nuclear Bombs, Atomic Reactors and other such devices.

The country was already in a very difficult position and Dr Qadeer Khan had to start his work from scratch. He however accepted the challenge and started his efforts for strengthening the Defense and regaining the honor for his country. After overcoming initial problems and difficulties, the foundation was at last laid in '1977 and the project was completed successfully in 1980, all with the help of local engineers and technicians. They worked ceaselessly and at nominal remuneration, even though they were skilled enough in their respective fields to get highly honorable jobs in the leading institutions abroad; but they preferred to offer their

services to their own country. Within two years, the first Centrifuge laboratory was installed. The laboratory was named as 'Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan Laboratory'.

The most interesting part of the story relates to the way the materials and other paraphernalia for the project, were purchased and brought to the country. One of them was 'Maraging Steel' which was to be used in the Centrifuge Plant. Maraging Steel is a high grade steel which can withstand the cen­trifuge spin at a speed, no other material can. It is necessary for separation of heavy isotopes of Uranium U236, the enriched Uranium, from the lighter isotope U235, both present in normal grade Uranium. The sale of this steel was banned to countries like Pakistan as its use was limited to such sophisticated technology. So all that was to be done for purchase and shipment of this steel required utmost secrecy, and a carefully worked-out plan. It was a collective effort which was achieved so successfully and secretly that the related Governments could not get even an inkling of it till it reached Pakistan. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan himself said that it was done so secretly that the day the news for purchase and shipment of the steel was broken for the first time through international media, 200 tonnes of Maraging Steel was being unloaded at Karachi Air Port. The arrival of this consignment was made possible with the help and co-operation of some reliable friends in the West.

Another achievement is the advancement in the field of Missile technology and the first ever locally made missiles 'Hatf' and 'Unza' have already gone into production. Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan also aims at developing an ingenious Supercomputer.

The other important, achievement of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan is the 'Ghulam Ishaque Khan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology', headed by Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan himself. This institute aims at preparing scientists and researchers that is Ph Ds in the most advanced fields of Physics and related technologies.

Let us hope that the achievements of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan will create talent that will raise the country to the level of advanced countries, Insha- Allah.