Abdul Qadeer Khan: 'Father' of Pakistan's atomic bomb dies at 85

Abdul Qadeer Khan was hailed as a national hero in Pakistan for making his country the world's first Islamic nuclear power — but regarded by the West as a dangerous renegade.

HE BROUGHT NUCLEAR DETERENCE TO THE REGION  WHICH SUFFERED UNDER  INDIA'S AGGRESIVE NUCLEAR PROGRAM. 

PAKISTAN SIGNED THE NON PROLIFERATION AGREEMENT, 

INDIA LIKE ISRAEL DID NOT!

    

A.Q. Khan was educated in Europe

Abdul Qadeer Khan, revered as the founding 'father' of Pakistan's nuclear program, died in Islamabad on Sunday morning. 

The Pakistani atomic scientist, 85, is considered a national hero for making Pakistan among the world's first Islamic nuclear power.

However, Khan is seen as a disgraced scientist by the West as he was the center of a nuclear proliferation scandal. 

He was admitted to hospital in Islamabad on August 26 after testing positive for COVID-19, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan news agency. The state-run agency added that Khan had been moved to a military hospital in Rawalpindi later.

Pakistani PM commemorates 'national icon'

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was saddened by the nuclear scientist's passing. He praised Khan for being a national icon and for providing Pakistan with security against an "aggressive much larger nuclear neighbour."

Prime Minister Khan said Khan's body would be buried in Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.

Pakistani President Arif Alvi also offered his condolences, saying he knew Khan personally since 1982. He added that Khan developed "nation-saving nuclear deterrence" and Pakistan would forever be indebted to him for that.

But Abdul Qadeer Khan has been at the center of controversies

Abdul Qadeer Khan was accused of illegally trading nuclear technology to Iran, Libya, and North Korea. 

In 2004, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the nuclear watchdog of the United Nations, pulled up Khan as a primary suspect of a nuclear proliferation ring that involved sales of nuclear technology to several countries.

The IAEA was trying to resolve how Iran and others had gotten hold of nuclear technology to create weapons.

In 2004, Khan confessed to having shared nuclear secrets with those countries on national TV. 

Pervez Musharraf, who was Pakistan's president at the time, said he would accept a written apology from Khan. He added that proliferators would be severely punished.

However, Musharraf pardoned Khan and placed him under house arrest for five years.

While confessing to his actions on TV, Khan said he had acted alone and without the knowledge of state officals. Later, Khan said he was scapegoated.

"I saved the country for the first time when I made Pakistan a nuclear national icon and saved it again when I confessed and took the whole blame on myself," he told AFP news agency in an interview in 2008.

He lived mostly out of the public eye after his house arrest was lifted in 2009

Nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan passes away at 85 in Islamabad

Dawn.com Published October 10, 2021 -

This file photo shows nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan. — AFP/File

Nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan passed away in Islamabad on Sunday morning at the age of 85.

According to Radio Pakistan, he was admitted to a local hospital where his health deteriorated early morning. PTV said that he died after being transferred to a hospital with lung problems.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that under the directions issued by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Dr Khan would be given a state funeral.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, he said that the premier had also directed cabinet ministers to attend the funeral. The interior minister said that the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the services chiefs would also be in attendance.

He said that the funeral prayers will be held at Faisal Mosque at 3:30pm. "The general public will be allowed to attend," he said.

He said two graves were being prepared, one at Faisal Mosque and one at Islamabad's H-8 graveyard. His family will decide where to bury him and that will be implemented, he said.

"The whole nation is grieving," the minister said, adding that the flag would be flown at half-mast.

He said that he had also directed law enforcement agencies and the Islamabad commissioner to make security arrangements.

'National icon for Pakistanis'

Prime Minister Imran Khan said Dr Khan was loved by the nation because of his critical contribution in making Pakistan a nuclear weapon state.

"This has provided us security against an aggressive much larger nuclear neighbour. For the people of Pakistan he was a national icon," he said, adding that he would be buried in Faisal Mosque "as per his wishes".

President Dr Arif Alvi said that he had personally known Dr Khan since 1982. "He helped us develop nation-saving nuclear deterrence, and a grateful nation will never forget his services in this regard," he said.

Last month, Dr Khan had complained that neither PM Imran nor any of his cabinet members inquired after his health while he was under treatment at a hospital.

According to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan, Dr Khan had been admitted to Khan Research Laboratories Hospital on August 26 after he tested positive for Covid-19. Later, he was shifted to a military hospital in Rawalpindi but was discharged after recovering from the virus.

'A huge loss for Pakistan'

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza and all services chiefs expressed sorrow over Dr Khan's passing.

The ISPR statement also quoted Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa as saying that he had rendered invaluable services to strengthen Pakistan's defence capabilities.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said that the nation had lost "a true benefactor who served the motherland with heart and soul."

"The passing of Dr Khan is a huge loss for the country. His role in making Pakistan an atomic power remains central," he said.

Defence Minister Pervez Khattak said he was "deeply grieved" over his passing and called it a "great loss".

"Pakistan will forever honour his services to the nation! The nation is heavily indebted to him for his contributions in enhancing our defence capabilities," he said.

Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar said that Dr Khan had played an important role in making the country "invincible". He also offered prayers for the deceased.

Born in 1936 in Bhopal, India, Dr Khan had immigrated along with his family to Pakistan in 1947 after partition of the subcontinent.

After learning of India's nuclear test in 1974, he had joined his nation's clandestine efforts to develop nuclear power. He had founded the Khan Research Laboratories in 1976 and was its chief scientist and director for many years, according to Radio Pakistan.

He was awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz for his services to the country.

In 2004, Dr Khan was at the centre of a massive global nuclear proliferation scandal in 2004. In a series of dramatic developments, he was accused by then army chief and president Pervez Musharraf of running a rogue proliferation network for nuclear material.

Shortly after Musharraf’s announcement, a recorded confession by Khan was aired in which he took sole responsibility for all the nuclear proliferation that had been revealed.