Israel’s long-standing concern over an 'Islamic bomb' began in the 1970s when Pakistan started developing nuclear capabilities under Abdul Qadeer Khan. After India tested its first nuclear weapon in 1974, Pakistan’s then Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto pledged to match it: “We will eat grass or leaves, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own,” he said. Israel, alarmed by this ambition, reportedly attempted to assassinate AQ Khan and even proposed a joint airstrike with India on Pakistan’s Kahuta nuclear facility in the early 1980s.&nbsp;<h2>Israel’s early fears and foiled plans</h2>&nbsp;According to historian Adrian Levy and journalist Catherine Scott-Clark, Mossad conducted covert sabotage campaigns targeting European suppliers to Pakistan’s programme, including letter bombs and threats. Former Mossad chief Shabtai Shavit later admitted regret over not eliminating Khan, while ex-CIA Director George Tenet called Khan 'at least as dangerous as Osama bin Laden'. &nbsp;Economic Times reports that between 1979–1983, Israel proposed a covert joint operation to help India bomb Pakistan’s Kahuta nuclear facility, citing fears of an ‘Islamic bomb’ destabilising West Asia.&nbsp;A plan for Israeli fighter jets to launch from India’s Jamnagar air base and bomb Kahuta was drawn up, with Indira Gandhi initially on board. However, she eventually withdrew support.&nbsp;<h2>Why the campaign failed?</h2>&nbsp;Despite the sabotage attempts and India’s operational readiness, Pakistan’s nuclear quest continued. Khan returned from the Netherlands in 1976, accused of stealing uranium centrifuge blueprints, and led Pakistan’s uranium enrichment programme. In 1986, he declared Pakistan had the capability to build a nuclear bomb. “Are these bastards God-appointed guardians of the world?” Khan said, referring to Western opposition. Mossad’s efforts also extended to threatening suppliers to stop his nuclear-related dealings with Pakistan.&nbsp;"For Israel, the prospect that Pakistan, for the first time, could become an Islamic State with an atomic bomb posed an existential threat," Swiss daily Neue Zurcher Zeitung (NZZ) said.&nbsp;But geopolitical dynamics played a crucial role: both the US and China covertly supported Pakistan. China provided enriched uranium, tritium and technical assistance, while Washington turned a blind eye to Pakistan’s activities during the 1980s Cold War alliance against the Soviets in Afghanistan.&nbsp;Ultimately, despite multiple Israeli efforts and Indian readiness, Pakistan succeeded in becoming a nuclear power in 1998. AQ Khan, who died in 2021, remains a national hero in Pakistan and a symbol of the country’s nuclear identity even though many believe, he was the architect of a global nuclear black market.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A plan for Israeli fighter jets to launch from India’s Jamnagar air base and bomb Kahuta was drawn up, with Indira Gandhi initially on board. However, she eventually withdrew support.



Israel’s long-standing concern over an 'Islamic bomb' began in the 1970s when Pakistan started developing nuclear capabilities under Abdul Qadeer Khan. After India tested its first nuclear weapon in 1974, Pakistan’s then Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto pledged to match it: “We will eat grass or leaves, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own,” he said. Israel, alarmed by this ambition, reportedly attempted to assassinate AQ Khan and even proposed a joint airstrike with India on Pakistan’s Kahuta nuclear facility in the early 1980s. Israel’s early fears and foiled plans According to historian Adrian Levy and journalist Catherine Scott-Clark, Mossad conducted covert sabotage campaigns targeting European suppliers to Pakistan’s programme, including letter bombs and threats. Former Mossad chief Shabtai Shavit later admitted regret over not eliminating Khan, while ex-CIA Director George Tenet called Khan 'at least as dangerous as Osama bin Laden'. Economic Times reports that between 1979–1983, Israel proposed a covert joint operation to help India bomb Pakistan’s Kahuta nuclear facility, citing fears of an ‘Islamic bomb’ destabilising West Asia. A plan for Israeli fighter jets to launch from India’s Jamnagar air base and bomb Kahuta was drawn up, with Indira Gandhi initially on board. However, she eventually withdrew support. Why the campaign failed? Despite the sabotage attempts and India’s operational readiness, Pakistan’s nuclear quest continued. Khan returned from the Netherlands in 1976, accused of stealing uranium centrifuge blueprints, and led Pakistan’s uranium enrichment programme. In 1986, he declared Pakistan had the capability to build a nuclear bomb. “Are these bastards God-appointed guardians of the world?” Khan said, referring to Western opposition. Mossad’s efforts also extended to threatening suppliers to stop his nuclear-related dealings with Pakistan. "For Israel, the prospect that Pakistan, for the first time, could become an Islamic State with an atomic bomb posed an existential threat," Swiss daily Neue Zurcher Zeitung (NZZ) said. But geopolitical dynamics played a crucial role: both the US and China covertly supported Pakistan. China provided enriched uranium, tritium and technical assistance, while Washington turned a blind eye to Pakistan’s activities during the 1980s Cold War alliance against the Soviets in Afghanistan. Ultimately, despite multiple Israeli efforts and Indian readiness, Pakistan succeeded in becoming a nuclear power in 1998. AQ Khan, who died in 2021, remains a national hero in Pakistan and a symbol of the country’s nuclear identity even though many believe, he was the architect of a global nuclear black market.

A plan for Israeli fighter jets to launch from India’s Jamnagar air base and bomb Kahuta was drawn up, with Indira Gandhi initially on board. However, she eventually withdrew support.

The mysterious plan to stop AQ Khan: Why Israel's secret missions failed to stop Pakistan’s nuclear program?

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan, was hanged in 1979 after being convicted of murder, but he didn't get a fair trial, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday (Mar 6).&nbsp;

Bhutto served as the fourth president of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973 and also as the ninth prime minister of the South Asian nation from 1973 to 1977.&nbsp;

Fourty-four years ago, Bhutto was hanged after a trial under the military regime of late General Zia-ul-Haq.&nbsp;

The ex-prime minister founded the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which is now run by his grandson and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.&nbsp;

In remarks telecast live of the ruling, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa said, "We didn't find that the fair trial and due process requirements were met."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/unexpected-snowfall-takes-several-lives-in-pakistan-afghanistan-northwest-indian-shivers-in-march-697135">Unexpected snowfall takes several lives in Pakistan, Afghanistan; Northwest India shivers in March</a>&nbsp;

Bilawal's father, Asif Ali Zardari, had filed a judicial reference during his tenure as president in 2011, and the ruling was in response to that.&nbsp;

The reference sought an opinion by the top court on revisiting the death sentence awarded to Bhutto.&nbsp;

The chief justice said that it was a unanimous decision taken by a nine-member bench headed by him.&nbsp;

The larger bench consisted of Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Musarrat Hilali.&nbsp;

The CJP Isa announced the unanimous opinion, stating, "The proceedings of the trial by the Lahore High Court and of the appeal by the Supreme Court of Pakistan do not meet the requirements of the fundamental right to a fair trial and due process enshrined in Articles 4 and 9 of the Constitution, and later guaranteed as a separate and fundamental right under Article 10A of the Constitution."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bolstered-by-maldives-china-pact-president-muizzu-asks-indian-officials-to-leave-by-may-10-696762">Emboldened after pact with China, President Muizzu says all Indian officials will leave by May 10</a>&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Why timing of the Achakzai's raid is notable

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Pakistan's top court also acknowledged that there had been "some cases in our judicial history that created a public perception that either fear or favour deterred the performance of a duty to administer justice in accordance with the law".&nbsp;

"We must therefore be willing to confront our past missteps and fallibilities with humility, in the spirit of self-accountability, and as a testament to our commitment to ensure that justice must be served with unwavering integrity and fidelity to the law," Justice Isa said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, he also admitted that "we cannot correct ourselves and progress in the right direction until we acknowledge our past mistakes".&nbsp;

Shehbaz Sharif, who recently took oath as the prime minister after a disputed election in February, hailed the ruling.&nbsp;

"It is a positive development that a wrong done by a court has been corrected by a court," Sharif said in a statement from his office.&nbsp;

Bilawal also reacted to the judgement. Taking to his official X social media account, he said that the SC's opinion came "44 years after judicial murder and more than 12 years after [the] presidential reference was filed".&nbsp;

"The pursuit of justice was a labour of love by President Asif Ali Zardari in the name of his wife Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Our family waited 3 generations to hear these words," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan, was hanged in 1979 after being convicted of murder, but he didn't get a fair trial, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday (Mar 6).

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan, was hanged in 1979 after being convicted of murder, but he didn't get a fair trial, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday (Mar 6). Bhutto served as the fourth president of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973 and also as the ninth prime minister of the South Asian nation from 1973 to 1977. Fourty-four years ago, Bhutto was hanged after a trial under the military regime of late General Zia-ul-Haq. The ex-prime minister founded the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which is now run by his grandson and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. In remarks telecast live of the ruling, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa said, "We didn't find that the fair trial and due process requirements were met." Also read: Unexpected snowfall takes several lives in Pakistan, Afghanistan; Northwest India shivers in March Bilawal's father, Asif Ali Zardari, had filed a judicial reference during his tenure as president in 2011, and the ruling was in response to that. The reference sought an opinion by the top court on revisiting the death sentence awarded to Bhutto. The chief justice said that it was a unanimous decision taken by a nine-member bench headed by him. The larger bench consisted of Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Musarrat Hilali. The CJP Isa announced the unanimous opinion, stating, "The proceedings of the trial by the Lahore High Court and of the appeal by the Supreme Court of Pakistan do not meet the requirements of the fundamental right to a fair trial and due process enshrined in Articles 4 and 9 of the Constitution, and later guaranteed as a separate and fundamental right under Article 10A of the Constitution." Also read: Emboldened after pact with China, President Muizzu says all Indian officials will leave by May 10 Watch: Why timing of the Achakzai's raid is notable × Pakistan's top court also acknowledged that there had been "some cases in our judicial history that created a public perception that either fear or favour deterred the performance of a duty to administer justice in accordance with the law". "We must therefore be willing to confront our past missteps and fallibilities with humility, in the spirit of self-accountability, and as a testament to our commitment to ensure that justice must be served with unwavering integrity and fidelity to the law," Justice Isa said. Meanwhile, he also admitted that "we cannot correct ourselves and progress in the right direction until we acknowledge our past mistakes". Shehbaz Sharif, who recently took oath as the prime minister after a disputed election in February, hailed the ruling. "It is a positive development that a wrong done by a court has been corrected by a court," Sharif said in a statement from his office. Bilawal also reacted to the judgement. Taking to his official X social media account, he said that the SC's opinion came "44 years after judicial murder and more than 12 years after [the] presidential reference was filed". "The pursuit of justice was a labour of love by President Asif Ali Zardari in the name of his wife Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Our family waited 3 generations to hear these words," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Ex-Pakistan PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, hanged in 1979, didn’t get a fair trial, rules Supreme Court

Reham Khan, senior journalist and ex-wife of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, said on Wednesday that Pakistan premier's political survival from the present crisis was 'impossible'. Reham Khan was speaking exclusively with WION. Saying 'everyone has had enough of him', she claimed that Imran Khan was trying to be like former Pakistan PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto by claiming that foreign powers were hatching a 'conspiracy' to topple his government.

"I think he is trying to project himself as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto," she said. She repeated her assertion one more time during the interview.

Imran Khan's coalition government is facing a no-confidence motion in Pakistan's National Assembly. The vote on the motion is due to take place on April 3. But as the day draws nearer, the cricketer-turned-politician is increasingly finding himself on a slippery wicket. 
 
Watch |

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"Nobody believes in foreign conspiracy hocus-pocus," said Reham Khan as she spoke with WION. Imran Khan has claimed that he has documentary proof of foreign conspiracy but has not yet made it public.

In a public rally on March 27, Imran Khan waved in his hand a letter that he claimed was proof of foreign conspiracy against his government.

Reham Khan described Imran's attempt to have been focussed on salvaging his 'failing political career'. She added that making such allegations was a 'dangerous thing to cook up'.

The coalition led by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had a jolt on Wednesday when allied party Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) deserted the coalition and demanded the PM's resignation.

Reham Khan opined that it would be better for Imran Khan to step down gracefully before he faces defeat in Pakistan's parliament.&nbsp;

However, "Grace is not something I equate with Imran," she said.

She said that she viewed Imran Khan as a very 'selfish' person who would put his own motives above national interest.

"Imran's political survival is impossible," said Reham Khan also stressing during the interview that she saw through him quite early.

The lower house of Pakistan's parliament, the National Assembly elects the prime minister. In order to have a majority, the government needs support from 172 out of 342 members.

After 2018 elections in Pakistan, Imran Khan's PTI won 155 seats and Khan crossed the 172-vote threshold to be elected prime minister in 2018 with the help of coalition partners.&nbsp;

Reham Khan, senior journalist and ex-wife of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, said on Wednesday that Pakistan premier's political survival from the present crisis was 'impossible'.

Reham Khan, senior journalist and ex-wife of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, said on Wednesday that Pakistan premier's political survival from the present crisis was 'impossible'. Reham Khan was speaking exclusively with WION. Saying 'everyone has had enough of him', she claimed that Imran Khan was trying to be like former Pakistan PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto by claiming that foreign powers were hatching a 'conspiracy' to topple his government. "I think he is trying to project himself as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto," she said. She repeated her assertion one more time during the interview. Imran Khan's coalition government is facing a no-confidence motion in Pakistan's National Assembly. The vote on the motion is due to take place on April 3. But as the day draws nearer, the cricketer-turned-politician is increasingly finding himself on a slippery wicket. Watch | "Nobody believes in foreign conspiracy hocus-pocus," said Reham Khan as she spoke with WION. Imran Khan has claimed that he has documentary proof of foreign conspiracy but has not yet made it public. In a public rally on March 27, Imran Khan waved in his hand a letter that he claimed was proof of foreign conspiracy against his government. Reham Khan described Imran's attempt to have been focussed on salvaging his 'failing political career'. She added that making such allegations was a 'dangerous thing to cook up'. The coalition led by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had a jolt on Wednesday when allied party Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) deserted the coalition and demanded the PM's resignation. Reham Khan opined that it would be better for Imran Khan to step down gracefully before he faces defeat in Pakistan's parliament. However, "Grace is not something I equate with Imran," she said. She said that she viewed Imran Khan as a very 'selfish' person who would put his own motives above national interest. "Imran's political survival is impossible," said Reham Khan also stressing during the interview that she saw through him quite early. The lower house of Pakistan's parliament, the National Assembly elects the prime minister. In order to have a majority, the government needs support from 172 out of 342 members. After 2018 elections in Pakistan, Imran Khan's PTI won 155 seats and Khan crossed the 172-vote threshold to be elected prime minister in 2018 with the help of coalition partners.

Imran Khan is no Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: Ex-wife Reham Khan slams beleaguered Pak PM

Pakistan on Wednesday is observing the 39th death anniversary of former prime minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

A ceremony is slated to be held in Rawalpindi's Jinnah Park (Old Jail).

A Quran Khawani would be held at 10 AM and dua will be offered at 1 PM, reported Geo TV.

Leaders of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), a party which was founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, will gather in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh village in Sindh province to address the party workers near the mausoleum of the former prime minister.

The meeting will be addressed by party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, co-chairman and Pakistan's former president Asif Ali Zardari, opposition leaders in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah and Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, and the PPP's central leaders, the report said.

To mark the occasion, the Sindh Labour and Human Resources department has declared April 4 as a public holiday across Sindh.

A documentary displaying Bhutto`s feat and accomplishments and his life will be shown.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was hanged in 1979, two years after his government was toppled in a military coup by the chief of the army staff General Ziaul Haq, according to the media reports.

A ceremony is slated to be held in Rawalpindi's Jinnah Park (Old Jail)

Pakistan on Wednesday is observing the 39th death anniversary of former prime minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. A ceremony is slated to be held in Rawalpindi's Jinnah Park (Old Jail). A Quran Khawani would be held at 10 AM and dua will be offered at 1 PM, reported Geo TV. Leaders of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), a party which was founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, will gather in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh village in Sindh province to address the party workers near the mausoleum of the former prime minister. The meeting will be addressed by party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, co-chairman and Pakistan's former president Asif Ali Zardari, opposition leaders in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah and Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, and the PPP's central leaders, the report said. To mark the occasion, the Sindh Labour and Human Resources department has declared April 4 as a public holiday across Sindh. A documentary displaying Bhutto`s feat and accomplishments and his life will be shown. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was hanged in 1979, two years after his government was toppled in a military coup by the chief of the army staff General Ziaul Haq, according to the media reports.

Pakistan observes Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's 39th death anniversary