Project 706 - The Pakistan Atomb Bomb

[WAJsal]

@WAJsal from your own article which corroborates what I've been saying.About handing role to AQ, Plutonium role only reach maturity in late 90's early 2000's. many PAEC employees left PAEC and began working for AQ. Read the bold and underline name. These two people were punt under trail because of basing unfounded allegations against AQ Khan. Intitally they left PAEC and began work under AQ Khan. They made some startled allegations to Zia. Zia Called AQ asked him about these two peoples. Zia suggested to hang these two people but later Munir ahmed interventation saved them and they were later sent back to PAEC


Soon after India’s 1974 test, the PAEC decided to adopt centrifuge technology for uranium enrichment and I was tasked by Munir Ahmad Khan to prepare a feasibility on the basis of comparative studies of different enrichment technologies. Previous to this assignment, I was commissioning engineer and incharge of troubleshooting during the commissioning phases of KANUPP. Before that, I had worked at Risley Design Centre with the UK Atomic Energy Authority who had applied two patents in my name, and published eleven technical reports in one year — a rare honour for any nuclear engineer.



The Enrichment Project, commonly known as the Kahuta Project or KRL was also started by the PAEC in October 1974 with myself as its director. I handed over charge of the project after 33 months on July 17, 1976 to Dr AQ Khan. By then, we had completed the designs for the centrifuge machine and the process plant in the shabby Second World War Army Barracks near Chaklala airport, known as the Airport Development Workshop. We had deliberately left parts of the outer side of ADW unfurnished to maintain secrecy while the inner parts were furnished as per our needs. It was our deliberate policy to give priority to procurements of essential materials and equipment, build manpower and an indigenous base and not waste time on expensive buildings and cars in the initial years.



We had also managed to procure most of the short term and long term requirements of machinery and materials for the first phase of the project as per our original plan.



Dr AQ Khan joined the project in early 1976 as Director Research. Prior to this, he was working for us in Amsterdam, Holland. The PAEC team had begun work on local development of a high-speed motor for the centrifuge and the aluminium centrifuge base.



We also started indigenous development of high frequency generators and bellows using explosive forming techniques. By July 1976, we had installed and commissioned the centrifuge rotor manufacturing machines, electron beam-welding machine, high strength magnet charging machines, and initiated work on high speed bearings, grooving and welding technologies.



These are few examples only. We had procured large quantities of high strength aluminium and maraging steel for manufacturing centrifuge rotors and other components for centrifuge machines. The team of dedicated scientists and engineers who made the project a success in the initial years and came from the PAEC, among them Dr GD Alam, Anwar Ali, Ijaz Khokhar, Dr Javed Mirza, Brig. Abdus Salam (EME), Col Rashid Ali (EME) and many more illustrious names. Many of them later rose to important positions in KRL under Dr AQ Khan.



By the time the project was separated from the PAEC, it was on its way to produce weapon-grade enriched uranium by 1980. However, once the project was separated from the PAEC, this target was met several years later and at many times the estimated budget. However, I do not wish to undermine AQ Khan’s contribution in taking the project forward from where we left in 1976.



Dr AQ Khan succeeded me as head of the Kahuta project on July 17, 1976. He accused me of procuring sub-standard maraging steel and I was later exonerated of this charge. I handed over charge of the project to AQ Khan in the presence of Agha Shahi and Munir Ahmad Khan the same day. I was transferred back to the PAEC and was assigned the job to extend its capacity of the uranium mining and refining project.

PAEC played a key role in Uranium route itself, it did all the other needed steps and KRL enriched it. A.Q Khan boiled shit against Sultan Bashiruddin, Samar Mubarakmand. The only reason he resented Munir Ahmed was because he was the head of the project and that he wasn't. Did you know A.Q Khan wanted Pakistan to not continue with the Plutonium route, on the other hand it was Munir ahmed who established Project 706 and provided for it. PAEC enriched Uranium, gasification process(i am no expert, but i hope i have the name correct), basically KRL simply enriched it and collaborated with PAEC, all along. Then it was PAEC who built the bomb and other steps too. if there were 10 steps that were required to build the bomb, PAEC did 9 of them, and KRL one of them, in that too PAEC provided immense help.

Ask yourself, Without KRL enriched uranium, Would PAEC able to assemble nuclear bomb ? Was PAEC able to enrich uranium like what KRL did ?

PAEC mined Uranium, "Secondly, all other elements of the complete nuclear fuel cycle, including elements of the uranium route other than Project-706 was PAEC's work, which were developed under several other projects, like the Baghalchur-1 uranium mining and refining project and the huge Chemical Plants Complex (CPC) Project, at Dera Ghazi Khan. CPC produces several types of nuclear materials, most important of which is the uranium hexa-fluoride gas or UF6, which is the feedstock for all known commercial uranium enrichment methods, including centrifuge."
Otehr key role played by PAEC.

Ask yourself, Without KRL enriched uranium

KRL and PAEC was a part of same project, Uranium was enriched in a small quantity before A.Q khan even came to Pakistan, prototype reactor was made and completed by PAEC, A.Q khan took it to another level. If you read the link i provided....
"Meanwhile, Munir Ahmad Khan had launched over 20 laboratories and projects in the nuclear programme from 1972-1991, each one essential to acquire nuclear capability. Some of them are the uranium mining, refining, uranium oxide and hexafluoride UF6 production plants (the feedstock for KRL)."
" By the time the project was separated from the PAEC, it was on its way to produce weapon-grade enriched uranium by 1980. However, once the project was separated from the PAEC, this target was met several years later and at many times the estimated budget. However, I do not wish to undermine AQ Khan’s contribution in taking the project forward from where we left in 1976."
"Little known, though, is the fact that the protocol type centrifuges had already been made in the Chaklala barracks before AQ Khan joined in 1976. All done by PAEC, soon after AQ Khan joined after two years small amount of Uranium was enriched from this plant."

what Munir ahmed wasn't able to accomplish, that is why they brought AQ KHAN on board. They were not able to enrich neither Uranium nor Plutonium. And that's where dubious claims of Munir ahmed made his charachter suspicious .

Plutonium route was halted due to blocked of certain needed things, but was later built by Pakistan and PAEC went on to enrich Plutonium and even conducted a nuclear test, code named Chagai 2.

They were not able to enrich neither Uranium nor Plutonium

Uranium enrichment, PAEC played a key role too. Plutonium was enriched.

 

[syedali73]

In one thread I guess Hyperion described Khan as glorified clerk of Pakistan's nuclear program and I replied: who would have held your tongue had you had called Khan as glorified peon of Pakistan's nuclear program. I guess this is exactly where we are heading towards now. Khan, the glorified peon of Pakistan's nuclear program.

 

[Bratva]

PAEC played a key role in Uranium route itself, it did all the other needed steps and KRL enriched it. A.Q Khan boiled shit against Sultan Bashiruddin, Samar Mubarakmand. The only reason he resented Munir Ahmed was because he was the head of the project and that he wasn't. Did you know A.Q Khan wanted Pakistan to not continue with the Plutonium route, on the other hand it was Munir ahmed who established Project 706 and provided for it. PAEC enriched Uranium, gasification process(i am no expert, but i hope i have the name correct), basically KRL simply enriched it and collaborated with PAEC, all along. Then it was PAEC who built the bomb and other steps too. if there were 10 steps that were required to build the bomb, PAEC did 9 of them, and KRL one of them, in that too PAEC provided immense help.

No doubt PAEC provided all the initial setup. But it was not enough to take project to final line . Munir Ahmed promised President of their respective times that it will be achieved within a decade. To be dead honest, PAEC own made centrifuges were shyte. That is why they had to rely on AQ khan stolen designs. That is why AQ khan threatened to left Pakistan in 77-78 when he accused Munir ahmed was causing undue and heavy interference to his centrifuge project and wanted uranium route to fail ultimately

PAEC mined Uranium, "Secondly, all other elements of the complete nuclear fuel cycle, including elements of the uranium route other than Project-706 was PAEC's work, which were developed under several other projects, like the Baghalchur-1 uranium mining and refining project and the huge Chemical Plants Complex (CPC) Project, at Dera Ghazi Khan. CPC produces several types of nuclear materials, most important of which is the uranium hexa-fluoride gas or UF6, which is the feedstock for all known commercial uranium enrichment methods, including centrifuge."
Otehr key role played by PAEC.

These steps would have become useless if AQ khan havent provided the stolen centrifuges design. Hence AQ Khan came to Pakistan with his stolen designs.

KRL and PAEC was a part of same project, Uranium was enriched in a small quantity before A.Q khan even came to Pakistan, prototype reactor was made and completed by PAEC, A.Q khan took it to another level. If you read the link i provided....
"Meanwhile, Munir Ahmad Khan had launched over 20 laboratories and projects in the nuclear programme from 1972-1991, each one essential to acquire nuclear capability. Some of them are the uranium mining, refining, uranium oxide and hexafluoride UF6 production plants (the feedstock for KRL)."
" By the time the project was separated from the PAEC, it was on its way to produce weapon-grade enriched uranium by 1980. However, once the project was separated from the PAEC, this target was met several years later and at many times the estimated budget. However, I do not wish to undermine AQ Khan’s contribution in taking the project forward from where we left in 1976."
"Little known, though, is the fact that the protocol type centrifuges had already been made in the Chaklala barracks before AQ Khan joined in 1976. All done by PAEC, soon after AQ Khan joined after two years small amount of Uranium was enriched from this plant."

And that is where bone of contention exist b/w us. That is where AQ khan claims, General Zamin Naqvi who was DG security to both PAEC and KRL claims and DG CI ISI claims comes in. Initally PAEC designs failed to yield enriched uranium or the yielded uranium had were of very low quality . Then Munir ahmed tried to falsify data, read the AQ khan column, how he tried to achieve it. A Q Khan stolen design provided a new life to project but the caused so much ruckus b/w AQ khan and Munir ahmed that Bhutto separated two projects.

Thats why I continue to urge you to read the other side of history why Uranium project was separated from PAEC, Why AQ KHAN threaten to leave Pakistan in 76 or 77 due to munir ahmed attitude and why many PAEC employees who worked on Uranium project left it and went to work for AQ khan.

[ QUOTE]Plutonium route was halted due to blocked of certain needed things, but was later built by Pakistan and PAEC went on to enrich Plutonium and even conducted a nuclear test, code named Chagai 2.[/QUOTE]

Thats where we agree. Plutonium route was a very very long shot. Munir ahmed tried to portray it as we can achieve it within 10 years but it took 20-30 years to achieve amstery over plutonium route. But with Uranium bombs in our hand. Without Uranium route, Wouldn't America pressure could have stopped plutonium route ?

Uranium enrichment, PAEC played a key role too. Plutonium was enriched.

PAEC role was to design build manufacture the complete bomb. But it was not able to provide fuel for Bomb to go kaboom. That's where AQ khan stepped in.

 

[WAJsal]

No doubt PAEC provided all the initial setup. But it was not enough to take project to final line . Munir Ahmed promised President of their respective times that it will be achieved within a decade. To be dead honest, PAEC own made centrifuges were shyte. That is why they had to rely on AQ khan stolen designs. That is why AQ khan threatened to left Pakistan in 77-78 when he accused Munir ahmed was causing undue and heavy interference to his centrifuge project and wanted uranium route to fail ultimately

Thus the reason why i give credit to A.Q Khan too, but PAEC later mastered the Plutonium enrichment, and etc, etc. Your comments on, "Pakistan plutonium program matured only in early 2000. While Uranium program matured in early 90's. So one should not brush aside the AQ achievements no matter how much a low life he is." is completely correct. It is to note that, PAEC itself figured out how to enrich Plutonium, all the mathematics and calculations involved, then Munir ahmed building whatever was necessary to make us self-sufficient.

These steps would have become useless if AQ khan havent provided the stolen centrifuges design. Hence AQ Khan came to Pakistan with his stolen designs.

No one is denying his role. I never meant to state that, nor did.

Then Munir ahmed tried to falsify data, read the AQ khan column, how he tried to achieve it. A Q Khan stolen design provided a new life to project but the caused so much ruckus b/w AQ khan and Munir ahmed that Bhutto separated two projects.

As much as i know, A.Q Khan was sending data back for PAEC to analyse, basic prototype was completed by PAEC. I have read as to why the projects were separated, they were separate but were quite close, or connected.

Thats where we agree. Plutonium route was a very very long shot. Munir ahmed tried to portray it as we can achieve it within 10 years but it took 20-30 years to achieve amstery over plutonium route. But with Uranium bombs in our hand. Without Uranium route, Wouldn't America pressure could have stopped plutonium route ?

And my point is Munir ahmed and PAEC played a key role in Uranium route too, no denying that....then there was building of bomb and etc,etc...

Wouldn't America pressure could have stopped plutonium route ?

We did enrich a small amount by 1998, but after that we have mastered it.

@Bratva , i have never denied A.Q khans role, i am merely stating that PAEC was playing a key role in Uranium route too. I will post what i have done, i have to complete it first give me some time, give it a read, will tag, or if you would like to help, why not? plan is to make it part of PDF database, i could certainly use someone who holds knowledge in this field, a second perspective is always welcome.

 

[syedali73]

No doubt PAEC provided all the initial setup. But it was not enough to take project to final line . Munir Ahmed promised President of their respective times that it will be achieved within a decade. To be dead honest, PAEC own made centrifuges were shyte. That is why they had to rely on AQ khan stolen designs. That is why AQ khan threatened to left Pakistan in 77-78 when he accused Munir ahmed was causing undue and heavy interference to his centrifuge project and wanted uranium route to fail ultimately




These steps would have become useless if AQ khan havent provided the stolen centrifuges design. Hence AQ Khan came to Pakistan with his stolen designs.





And that is where bone of contention exist b/w us. That is where AQ khan claims, General Zamin Naqvi who was DG security to both PAEC and KRL claims and DG CI ISI claims comes in. Initally PAEC designs failed to yield enriched uranium or the yielded uranium had were of very low quality . Then Munir ahmed tried to falsify data, read the AQ khan column, how he tried to achieve it. A Q Khan stolen design provided a new life to project but the caused so much ruckus b/w AQ khan and Munir ahmed that Bhutto separated two projects.

Thats why I continue to urge you to read the other side of history why Uranium project was separated from PAEC, Why AQ KHAN threaten to leave Pakistan in 76 or 77 due to munir ahmed attitude and why many PAEC employees who worked on Uranium project left it and went to work for AQ khan.

[ QUOTE]Plutonium route was halted due to blocked of certain needed things, but was later built by Pakistan and PAEC went on to enrich Plutonium and even conducted a nuclear test, code named Chagai 2.

Thats where we agree. Plutonium route was a very very long shot. Munir ahmed tried to portray it as we can achieve it within 10 years but it took 20-30 years to achieve amstery over plutonium route. But with Uranium bombs in our hand. Without Uranium route, Wouldn't America pressure could have stopped plutonium route ?





PAEC role was to design build manufacture the complete bomb. But it was not able to provide fuel for Bomb to go kaboom. That's where AQ khan stepped in.[/QUOTE]
Please stop using the word 'stolen centrifuges'. Nothing was stolen. Design info on those gas centrifgues was present in text books for it was not considered as secret by German and Dutch scientists and engineers back then.