AQ Khan, ‘father of Pakistan's Nuclear bomb’, dies of Covid-19 – All You Need to Know

Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, a scientist known as the father of Pakistan’s Nuclear Programme, passed away at the age of 85 on October 10, 2021, after a brief illness. The nuclear physicist had faced criticism in 2004 when he was forced to accept the responsibility for nuclear technology proliferation and was forced to live a life of official house arrest.

Reportedly, AQ Khan was brought to the hospital early in the morning as he was facing difficulty in breathing.

 As per the doctors, Khan’s health deteriorated after bleeding in his lungs and he could not survive after his lungs collapsed. The Interior Minister of Pakistan, Sheikh Rasheed informed that all the efforts were made to save his life.

President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi extended his condolences via Twitter: “Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. Had known him personally since 1982. He helped us develop nation-saving nuclear deterrence and a grateful nation will never forget his services in this regard…”.

انا للّٰہ وانا الیہ راجعون

Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. Had known him personally since 1982.
He helped us develop nation-saving nuclear deterrence, and a grateful nation will never forget his services in this regard. May Allah bless him.

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) October 10, 2021

Prime Minister Imran Khan said that he was deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. AQ Khan. In a tweet, PM said, “He was loved by our nation because of his critical contribution in making us 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.”

Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr A Q Khan. He was loved by our nation bec of his critical contribution in making us 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.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 10, 2021

AQ Khan: Father of Pakistan’s Nuclear bomb

Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan was revered as a National Hero in Pakistan for making the country a nuclear power.

In 1998, Islamabad had detonated its first nuclear weapon when AQ Khan was leading the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL). It was a uranium enrichment facility that has been expanded to many other fields of science over the period of time, in Kahuta, near Islamabad.

After India’s nuclear test in 1974, Khan joined Pakistan’s efforts for developing nuclear technology. For this purpose, Khan founded the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in 1976. He was its Chief Scientist and director for many years until he was removed by Musharraf in 2004 over the accusation of running a rogue proliferation network for the nuclear material.

Details of International network for proliferation of nuclear equipment

The State Department of the United States said in 2009 that AQ Khan had run an extensive International network for the proliferation of nuclear equipment and know-how that provided ‘one-stop’ shopping’ for the nations seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

As per the US State Department, this network’s actions had irrevocably changed the proliferation landscape and also had a lasting impact on international security.

Western diplomats had always doubted whether Khan was acting alone. While talking to foreign media in the past, he had claimed that confession ‘was handed into my hand’.

Personal Life

Abdul Qadeer Khan was born in Bhopal, India in 1936 and had migrated along with his family to Pakistan after the partition.

Khan had studied metallurgical engineering in Berlin after he completed a degree in Science from Karachi University in 1960. Later, he went for advanced studies in Belgium and Netherlands.

After years of being under house arrest, Khan successfully filed a lawsuit against the government of Pakistan at Islamabad High Court, whose verdict declared his debriefing unconstitutional and freed him in 2009. He was put under house arrest in 2004 over the charges of running a proliferation network for nuclear material.

On August 26, 2021, he was tested positive for COVID-19 and was shifted to a military hospital. He was discharged a few weeks ago, however, his health took turn for worse when he started feeling discomfort in breathing.

Khan was given a state funeral at the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad before his burial at the city’s H-8 graveyard.