HUNDREDS of books have been written about Pakistan`s nuclear programme since its inception in the 1970s. However, the most authoritative history as told by the late Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr Ishfaq Ahmad to nuclear scientist Dr Mohammad Afzal will never see the light of day because it was not meant for publication.
Regarding my obituary of Dr Ishfaq published on Jan 22, a spokesman for the PAEC has clarified that when Dr Ishfaq was designated adviser to the prime minister, the authorities requested him to transform the knowledge in his head and mind in the form of a document about Pakistan`s strategic nuclear programme to be preserved in a secret archive.
On the recommendation of Dr Ishfaq Ahmad, the authorities entrusted Dr Afzal to assist Dr Ishfaq to accomplish the important task. Dr Afzal was on official payroll for this assignment. When the job was completed Dr Ishfaq handed over the manuscript along with soft copy to the authorities to be kept in custody.
The manuscript was never meant to be published, the spokesman said.
