Birth of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
April 1, 1936 marks the birth of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, the internationally renowned atomic scientist of Pakistan.
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan was born in Bhopal. In 1952, he migrated with his family to Karachi, where he completed his BSc from DJ College Karachi. In 1960, he went to Europe for higher education, obtaining advanced degrees from universities in Germany and the Netherlands, and later earning his PhD.
In 1974, he established contact with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and informed him of his expertise in uranium enrichment and his desire to return to serve the country. Upon Bhutto’s directive, Dr. Khan returned to Pakistan and was provided with all the facilities to initiate his project. On July 31, 1976, he established the Engineering Research Laboratories in Rawalpindi, now known as the Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan Research Laboratories.
After two years of hard work, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan successfully conducted experiments in enriching uranium at this laboratory. Around the same time, the installation of an atomic plant in Kahuta was completed, where Pakistan developed its nuclear capability. On May 28, 1998, Pakistan conducted its first nuclear explosion, thus joining the ranks of nuclear-armed nations.
In 2003, the United States accused Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and his associates of selling Pakistan’s nuclear secrets to North Korea, Iran, and Libya and assisting in their atomic programs. However, the Pakistani government denied these allegations, and upon the recommendation of the federal cabinet, an appeal for Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s pardon was accepted, and he was placed under house arrest for his protection.
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan was admitted to RL Hospital around 6 a.m. due to respiratory problems caused by pneumonia. Despite efforts by doctors and medical experts to save him, he passed away on October 10, 2021, at around 7:04 a.m. He left the Pakistani nation mourning his departure. According to Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s will, his funeral prayer was offered at Faisal Mosque. The cause of death was complications from COVID-19 and bleeding from the lungs.
