Eating Grass: The Making of the Pakistani Bomb

by Feroz H. Khan

The history of Pakistan's nuclear program is the history of Pakistan. Fascinated with the new nuclear science, the young nation's leaders launched a nuclear energy program in 1956 and consciously interwove nuclear developments into the broader narrative of Pakistani nationalism. Then, impelled first by the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan Wars, and more urgently by India's first nuclear weapon test in 1974, Pakistani senior officials tapped into the country's pool of young nuclear scientists and engineers and molded them into a motivated cadre committed to building the 'ultimate weapon.' The tenacity of this group and the central place of its mission in Pakistan's national identity allowed the program to outlast the perennial political crises of the next 20 years, culminating in the test of a nuclear device in 1998. Written by a 30-year professional in the Pakistani Army who played a senior role formulating and advocating Pakistan's security policy on nuclear and conventional arms control, this book tells the compelling story of how and why Pakistan's government, scientists, and military, persevered in the face of a wide array of obstacles to acquire nuclear weapons. It lays out the conditions that sparked the shift from a peaceful quest to acquire nuclear energy into a full-fledged weapons program, details how the nuclear program was organized, reveals the role played by outside powers in nuclear decisions, and explains how Pakistani scientists overcome the many technical hurdles they encountered. Thanks to General Khan's unique insider perspective, it unveils and unravels the fascinating and turbulent interplay of personalities and organizations that took place and reveals how international opposition to the program only made it an even more significant issue of national resolve. Listen to a podcast of a related presentation by Feroz Khan at the Stanford Center for International Security and Cooperation at .

Genres: Pakistan, History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Politics, War

548 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2012

Reviews

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Eating Grass: The Making of the Pakistani Bomb” by Feroz Khan was a splendid adventure into global power and politics in South Asia since World War II. The book begins with a reminder of the history of Pakistan … the 1947 partition … the northwest region of India becoming West Pakistan and a non-contiguous area on the east side of India becoming East Pakistan. Subsequently, a great migration took place as swarms of Muslims relocated to Pakistan and throngs of Hindus and Sikhs resettled to India. When the exodus was finished, Indian Hindus retained a hostility for Pakistani Muslims.

The Hindu versus Muslim antagonism grew over time, many skirmishes occurring on the shared border of India and West Pakistan…usually resulting in Pakistani losses. In time West Pakistan aligned itself with China, and India with the Soviets, yielding yet another sore spot. Eventually East Pakistan began its own independence movements, and the result was a conversion of East Pakistan into an independent Bangladesh.

Ever since partition, West Pakistan had border trouble with its neighbor India, including during the late-1950s and early-1960s, a time before a Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) had been promulgated. As such, many countries were actively encouraged to try and develop nuclear capability – hopefully for peace – in programs such as the Atoms for Peace initiative of President Eisenhower. But the threat to Pakistan increased if India developed weaponized nuclear capability.

Without the NPT, there was a general hustle in Asian countries to attain nuclear capability … China was successful, North Korea was trying, India was trying, and that left Pakistan exposed. It was at this time that a Pakistani leader (President Z.A. Bhutto) said “If India builds the bomb. We will eat grass or leaves, even go hungry. But we will get one of our own. We have no other choice.” Thus the title of this book refers to the Pakistani effort to match India’s nuclear efforts.

Interesting narrative…well written…well researched. While a few times the narrative slowed with a bit too much minutia making it read like an academic text (it was after all produced by the Stanford Security Studies group), it remained an interesting tale throughout. As one learns of the determined Pakistani efforts over decades of time, one can’t help but be reminded of the labors of Iran over the last twenty years … many similarities.

Eating Grass shows the beginnings of the U.S. alliance with Pakistan … and all its ups and downs. It is replete with the political moves of the United States, Russia, China and others during the early nuclear age. All-in-all this tale shows what can happen when a country sets its collective minds to achieve something … much like Kennedy’s challenge of going to the moon. One of the things I especially liked was that the narrative did not make the United States out to be the bad guy … it was written in a balanced and fair way.

What Richard Rhodes accomplished in detailing the American effort to develop a nuclear weapon (The Making of the Atomic Bomb), Feroz Khan has done for the Pakistani endeavor. This tale will probably be the definitive source on this subject for years to come. This book is a very entertaining read, written by an insider. Highly recommended.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feroz Khan has shown an excellent capacity for exploring the many facets of Pakistan's approach to nuclear statehood in a clear, precise, and engaging manner. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like expand their knowledge of an oft oversimplified topic and relevant topic.

[Aqeel Haider · Rating 5 out of 5]

#BookReview
#Nonfiction
𝙀𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙨: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙞 𝘽𝙤𝙢𝙗 by 𝙁𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙯 𝙃𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙣 𝙆𝙝𝙖𝙣
If anyone wants recommendations regarding books on Pakistani Nukes. Then, This is a Book. 1st Pakistani author which encompassed the Pakistani nuclear program articulately in a single book.
A book that tells you the story of Courage, Audacity, persistence, Betrayal, and tribute to the unnamed hero of Pakistan. They made Pakistani security invincible. Author: A brigadier retired from the Pakistan Army and directly dealt with this sensitive subject throughout his service. This Book will expose to you unbeknownst things that will alienate you.

This Book is comprised of five Parts. I will dissect them One by One.
PART 1: The Reluctant Phase
This part discussed the initial beginning of the nuclear program acquisition of the " Atom for Peace " program of President Dwight Eisenhower for Developing Nations. Since Pakistan was a close ally of the US in the policy of containment, it couldn't accrue benefits due to General Ayub's Reluctance. Bhutto was a pioneer of the Bomb Lobby. Push for since the beginning of his political career. The dismemberment of East Pakistan triggered and gave triumph to the bomb lobby. Give " Never again" phenomena to this nation's Civil-mil establishment.

PART 2: The Secret Nuclear R&D Program
This is crucial to understand the formation of Pinstech, PAEC, and KRL. Acquisition face from west under looming export Control sanctions. Route of Uranium and polutunium made Bomb. Looming India-Israel air attack like Osirak Iraq.Ghulam ishaque khan role since the beginning. Development of Sensitive structures.

PART 3: Covert Arsenal and Delivery means
Pakistan did conduct cold test in 1983 near kirana Sargodha but waited for hot test. Acquisition of Delivery means other than F-16's . China help in solid fuel M-11 and M-13 series of ballistic missiles formation of Pakistan Haft series.Naodong liquid fuelled Shaheen and guhari from North Korea. Finally reverse engineering of fallen Tomahawk's did help to made Babur and Raa'd Cruise missile.

PART 4: Toward an Operational Deterrent
28 May 1998, hot test near chaghi in response to india and sixth test in kharan desert after 2 days. Pakistan become 7th Nuclear state. Pakistan nuclear stalwart President GIK handed over sensitive nuclear documents and data to GHQ under General Abdul Waheed kakar. For 1st time military hold the reins of Pakistan nuclear arsenals.Happening of Kargil a strategic miss calculation of Pakistan Military under umbrella of Nuclear deterrance.Formation Nuclear Body National command Centre (NCA). Formation of Strategic Planning Division.

PART 5: Meeting new challenges
AQ khan network exposure to Wold and IAEA. CIA director George tenet provision of proof to Pakistani's.Help of Iran, North Korea and most importantly Libya in centrifuges P-1 by AQ Khan. Exposed Pakistan to Western criticism.Finally, Nuclear Pakistan and World.

#Recommended
#Thanks

[Prabhash Gokarn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always a challenge as an Indian to read a book about our (not so) friendly neighbour; specially on its actions directed towards India. This is my third book on Pak in 2020 and each time I feel even more glad that my grandfather migrated from Lahore to India - imagining what it would be like to be born in that failed nation.
Contrastingly, it is refreshing in some ways to read a Pakistani author and about Pakistan, and find many similarities but some stark differences. The politics of Pak's Nuclear Program is no different from India's; however, while the military has been deferent to the Indian Government; in Pak most of the time the military is the Government!
One more curious fact - the Pakistani psyche is India obsessed - while in India unless Pakistan sponsored terrorists do something silly - Indians aren't - even our military gives more mind space to China than to Pakistan.
I have not specifically mentioned much about the contents of the book delibrately; if you get a chance do at least skim through the book. It is educative: about nuclear technology, about Pakistani politics & the role its military plays, the similarity in our behavior and lastly the sharp contrast in our perceptions(or the official narratives that shape our thoughts).

[Afnan Alam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eating Grass is widely regarded as the most authoritative insider account of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme. Authored by Feroz Hassan Khan—a former Brigadier in the Pakistan Army and a key participant in the country’s strategic planning establishment—the book combines memoir, institutional history, and strategic analysis to explain how Pakistan acquired nuclear weapons under extraordinary political, economic, and international constraints.

The title derives from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s famous declaration that Pakistan would “eat grass” if necessary to build the bomb, and the book remains faithful to that framing: nuclearization is presented as a deliberate, existential national choice, not an accidental outcome of technological drift. Khan traces the programme from its post-1971 origins through covert procurement networks, scientific rivalries, bureaucratic improvisation, and the gradual consolidation of civilian–military control mechanisms. The narrative emphasizes how security imperatives, particularly India’s nuclear trajectory, shaped Pakistan’s strategic calculus at every stage.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its granular institutional detail. Khan explains how Pakistan managed parallel civilian and military structures, navigated sanctions, and insulated its programme from political volatility. Unlike many external accounts that treat Pakistan’s nuclear development as opaque or reckless, Eating Grass presents it as highly disciplined, compartmentalized, and progressively professionalized—especially after the establishment of the National Command Authority. The book is particularly strong on command-and-control evolution, safety protocols, and strategic restraint, areas often neglected in popular discourse.

At the same time, the book is unmistakably normative. Khan writes as both analyst and defender of Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent, consistently framing the bomb as stabilizing rather than escalatory. Critics have noted that ethical questions—proliferation risks, opportunity costs, and democratic oversight—are acknowledged but not interrogated with equal rigor. The A.Q. Khan proliferation episode, for instance, is addressed more as an institutional failure that was corrected than as a deeper structural vulnerability.

Stylistically, Eating Grass is sober, disciplined, and methodical. It avoids polemics and sensationalism, favoring clear exposition over dramatic flourish. The prose reflects the author’s professional background: measured, hierarchical, and precise. While this lends the book credibility and seriousness, it also makes it less accessible to casual readers. This is not a fast-paced narrative history; it is a strategic memoir, best read by policymakers, scholars, and serious students of security studies.

In comparative terms, Eating Grass stands apart from journalistic or Western academic accounts of South Asia’s nuclearization. Where external works often emphasize instability and risk, Khan foregrounds rationality, learning, and institutional maturity. The book therefore serves as an essential counterpoint in the literature, even for readers who may disagree with its conclusions.

In sum, Eating Grass is a foundational text for understanding Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine and strategic culture. Its value lies not only in the information it provides, but in the perspective it represents: how Pakistan’s security establishment understands its own most consequential decision. Read critically and alongside external analyses, it remains indispensable for anyone seeking a serious, informed understanding of nuclear South Asia.

[Tech Historian · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are none so blind as those who will not see.

If you're interested in understanding the history of the Pakistani nuclear program this book is a "must have". Who better than the general who headed up Pakistan's arms control and disarmament directorate to tell the story. The book shines in its description of Pakistan's secret nuclear R&D program. It provides new details about how Pakistan illegally acquired most of the key components of its weapons program as it developed dual tracks of producing highly enriched uranium and plutonium. The admission of Saudi funding of the weapons program (without a mention what they received in return) and the Chinese assistance of giving Pakistan HEU as well as a complete bomb design, was by itself worth the price of the book.

The flip side of the book is the authors lament of how unfair American policy makers, who wanted to roll back Pakistan's nuclear weapons program, were. Let's see, in 50 years of constant political instability Pakistan has had four military coups, military rule from 1958-1971, 1977-1988 and 1999-2008, perpetual distrust between the civilian and military rule, the rise Islamic terrorists, the Khan network of proliferators, etc. The truth is that Pakistan has been, and continues to be, the least stable country in the world holding the most dangerous weapons. It's depressing (actually frightening) to read about a country that lacks a culture of introspection and inability to admit failure or bad judgment. The reality is Pakistan has taken a valid issue of national security facing India and turned into a national culture of insecurity, corruption, nepotism, and a permanent "blame others" ethos. While the country got nuclear weapons the state has continued to fail its populace. They are no less secure, better fed, or economically well off with nuclear weapons. In fact, a case can be made that they're worse for it.

It's a shame the authors' myopia continued into retirement.

But he's delivered a great book that is a great read on many levels.

[Abdul Monum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the complete story of how Pakistan went beyond expectations and created the nuclear bomb despite all the challenges and adversaries. It almost feels like a miracle.
My criticism of the author is that, at times, he seems overly sympathetic to the establishment and dictators. In his defense, one could argue that, as a retired general, he had many connections that enabled him to write this book in the first place. Still, I would rate it 8/10.

[Tariq · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to know the details about Pakistan nuclear program since its inception to the present day. The book also expresses in detail about difficulties being faced by Pakistan during development stage and world reaction / response after Pakistan joined elite nuclear club.

[Hank Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detail account of how Pakistan became a nuclear state. In depth analysis and alot of detailed information of the difficulties which Pakistan faced in pursuance of nuclear technology. How the west is favoring India and their biased approach till to date. A must read.

[Farrukh Siddiqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

This explains the story of Pakistan's nuclear journey and how much it has gone through as some would suggest like Eating Grass !
Also tells how much shitty ally is US.

https://twitter.com/sos0091/status/13...

[Tariq Aziz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to know the details about Pakistan nuclear program since its inception to the present day. The book also expresses in detail about difficulties being faced by Pakistan during development stage and world reaction / response after Pakistan joined elite nuclear club.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author presents the nuclear achievement of Pakistan in a very school textbook style, which is really great and it gives reader a new perspective of looking Pakistan on a global stage apart from all the propaganda and hate online.

[Muhammad Rizwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant read about a marvellous chapter in our national history.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dry and monotonous at times, but generally insightful and comprehensive. A fair account of Pakistan’s security anxieties and its attempts to remedy them with nuclear weapons.

[Amjad Hussain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book on the Subject, I have taken a month to read with notes and references.

[Waseem Arshad · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read. A first hand account of pakistan nuclear acquisition that describes the conditions and compelling reason behind the logic of going nuclear. It disolays the success of pakistani scientists to achieve nuclear status against all odds with literally zero industrial base. its indeed the unique success story where military and civ leaders stood united. It also amply highlights uncovering of khan networks and its effs on pakistan. In the end, the book gives an insight of future trends of both countries like acquiring ballistic missiles, BMD sys, land based acquisition means of assured second strike cap and TNM tac nuclear missiles. in short a must read for all young pakistanis.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book by a distinguished author well positioned to know fully of what he writes and also to have access to the key players. An impressive and valuable account.

As to the other 3 'reviews', so far, of this book? Well - merely consider that all 3 "reviewers" honestly state that they "don't know much about" the topic - and judge their "reviews" in the light of their own estimates of their levels of knowledge, (or, self-described lack thereof), on this important topic.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Torturous but necessary for school. I don't think I can recommend.

[Kashee]

i don't know about this what sort of topic has been discussed in this book, i heard from my friend, they said to me, you must read...

[waqar ahmad · Rating 5 out of 5]

An in depth and detailed story of Pakistan's quest for Nuclear bomb. Not only that but this book also illustrates various options that were thought off for preparation of bomb. Various departments and organizations working for Pakistan's nuclear program are also introduced at length in this book