Second death anniversary of nuclear scientist Dr AQ Khan observed

ISLAMABAD: The second death anniversary of renowned nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan is being observed today.

He was born on April 1, 1936 in Bhopal, present-day India. He migrated to Pakistan with his family in 1952 after partition of the subcontinent.

He completed a science degree at Karachi University in 1960 and went to study metallurgical engineering in Berlin. He completed his advanced studies from the Netherlands and Belgium.

After India conducted a nuclear test in 1974, Dr Qadeer joined the nation’s efforts to develop nuclear power when he founded the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in 1976 and served as its chief scientist and director.

He made Pakistan’s defence invincible by making it the first nuclear power of the Muslim world and 7th nuclear power in the world. He is known as the “father of Pakistan’s atomic weapons program”.

In recognition of his valuable services, Dr Abdul Qadir Khan was awarded twice with Nishan Pakistan, among other honours.  He passed away on October 10, 2021 in Islamabad and was given a state funeral.