While inconceivable in this day and age of instant communications and "special envoy" shuttle diplomacy, the task of bringing Prime Minister Bhutto to the negotiating table and obtaining an agreement fell on Keith MacLellan as Canada's representative in Pakistan
Unfortunately, both Canada and the West had seriously underestimated Bhutto's determination to develop Pakistan's own bomb and the sacrifices that it was prepared to pay in order to do so.[5] In fact, unknown to them, Bhutto had formally launched Pakistan's nuclear programme within 3 months of being elected Prime Minister in 1972[6] and subsequently accelerated the programme in 1974 by launching Project-706 , which was later described by Time Magazine as "Pakistan's equivalent of the U.S.'s Manhattan Project" . Part of this project involved developing the technology and expertise to produce and refine uranium from other sources than Canada.[7]
As a result, the threat of Canadian sanctions on the KANUPP reactor were less of an ultimate deterrent than was believed at the time. Consequently, negotiations between Keith McClellan and Prime Minister Bhutto finally broke down in 1976 and despite a State Visit to Ottawa by Bhutto, Canada withdrew its support for the reactor.[8] This action however only resulted in a delay rather than a cessation of Pakistan's nuclear programme.
Canada not only refused to supply fuel but also said;
"NOW PAKISTAN'S ECONOMICAL HUB WILL DROWN TO DARK''.
These were the words which panitrated in the hearts of Pakistani people and they committed themselves that whatever happen WE WOULD NOT LET OUR OURSELVES DOWN AND GET THE PLANT WORKING AT ANY COST.
When Canada cut off supplies of nuclear fuel and spare parts in December 1976 ,[28] PAEC developed its own fuel within two years and began loading KANUPP with indigenous nuclear fuel by 1980.[29] Munir Ahmad Khan also launched the uranium enrichment project under the code-name Project-706 which included the site selection of the Kahuta plant, completion of a pilot enrichment plant at Chakala along with selection and preparation of the pilot centrifuge plant at Sihala, procurement of essential equipment and materials for the enrichment project and selection of trained manpower for the project. All this work was begun in late 1974 and completed by PAEC under the overall supervision of Munir Ahmad Khan by 1976.
THAT WAS THE STORY OF A NATION
WHEN THEY COMMITTED THEY DID IT !!!
