The father of Pakistan's nuclear programme Abdul Qadeer Khan said while addressing a gathering in Islamabad on the 18th anniversary of Pakistan's first nuclear tests, "We were able and we had a plan to launch nuclear test in 1984. But President General Zia-ul-Haq had opposed the move". Zia thought it could invoke international military intervention and curtailment of aid flow. Pakistan patiently waited for 14 long years and a God-sent opportunity came when India carried out its nuclear tests in May 1998. It was a 'now or never moment' for Pakistan's nuclear weapon programme. Pressures were tremendous; any cold footing by the leadership could have resulted in irreversible damage.
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