Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan passes away at the age of 85, funeral prayer offered at Faisal Mosque, laid to rest at F-8 graveyard
President Alvi, PM Imran Khan, Shehbaz, Zardari, Bilawal, Maryam, Siraj, CJCSC, COAS, other leader express grief & sorrow on Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s death
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
Pakistan’s renowned nuclear scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan passed away in Islamabad on Sunday. He was 85. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan was admitted at KRL hospital where his health deteriorated early Sunday morning. Doctors tried their best to save the renowned scientist’s life but were unable to do so, resulting in his death at 7:04am. Doctors have said he passed away after his lungs collapsed.
Funeral prayer of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan was offered at Faisal Mosque Islamabad at 3:35 PM. Later on he was laid to rest at F-8 graveyard in Islamabad as per the will of his family.. Thousands of people including federal ministers, military officials and leaders of political parties attend the funeral prayer. The funeral prayer was led by Member Shariat Appellate Bench Professor Dr. Muhammad Al-Ghazali.
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan played an important role in making Pakistan a nuclear power. After learning of India’s nuclear test in 1974, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan joined his nation’s clandestine efforts to develop nuclear power. He founded the Khan Research Laboratories in 1976 and was both its chief scientist and director for many years. He was awarded with Nishan-i-Imtiaz for his services to the country twice and also awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz. Dr. Qadeer had contracted Covid-19 on 26th August and had initially remained under treatment at the Al-Shifa Hospital and later at the Military Hospital. He had been moved back home after being successfully treated for the deadly infection. However, last night Dr. Qadeer’s condition suddenly worsened. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he breathed his last early morning on Sunday.
The government has decided to bury Dr. Qadeer with state honours. In this regard, a meeting was summoned by Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed at the Capital Development Authority (CDA) headquarters to finalise the funeral arrangements for Dr. Qadeer.
President Dr. Arif Alvi has expressed sorrow over the demise of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. In a condolence tweet on Sunday, the President said Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan helped us develop nation-saving nuclear deterrence, and a grateful nation will never forget his services in this regard. The President prayed for the departed soul.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed heartfelt condolences over the demise of Pakistan’s renowned nuclear scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. In a tweet on Sunday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said he is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. The Prime Minister said Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan 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. The Prime Minister said for the people of Pakistan he was a national icon.
The Prime Minister said Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan will be buried in Faisal Mosque as per his wishes. He also prayed for the bereaved family.
“Nation mourns the colossal loss of Mohsin-e-Pakistan Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan’s demise. He is truly a national hero for making Flag of Pakistan invincible. Indeed everyone is mortal but only a few leave an immortal legacy behind them. We are forever indebted for the legacy he has left” Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan tweeted.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Pervez Khan Khattak has expressed deep grief at the sad demise of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. In a tweet, he said Dr Abdul Qadeer’s death is a great loss for Pakistan. He said the country will forever honour his services to the nation. The Defence Minister said the Nation is heavily indebted to him for his contributions in enhancing our defence capabilities.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain has expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Pakistan’s renowned nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan. In a tweet on Sunday, he said the entire nation is saddened over the demise of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan.
The Minister said Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s services to Pakistan are countless. He also prayed for the departed soul.
Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has condoled over the sad demise of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. In a tweet on Sunday, he said Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan played a key role in making Pakistan invincible. The Minister prayed for the departed soul.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif termed Dr. Qadeer’s death a “huge loss” for Pakistan. He said Dr. Qadeer played a “central role” in making Pakistan a nuclear power.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari too expressed grief over the death of Dr. AQ Khan. In a statement, Zardari said that the Pakistani nation could never forget the services of Dr. Qadeer to the nation.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed sorrow on the demise of AQ Khan. He said the Pakistani nation will remain indebted to Dr. Qadeer for his “unforgettable” services.
Bilawal said every Pakistani was mourning the loss of Dr. Qadeer. He said it was his grandfather Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who requested Dr. Qadeer to become part of Pakistan’s nuclear programme. “May Allah Almighty grant the deceased high ranks in His mercy,” added Bilawal.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif in a statement issued on twitter said that she was shocked to hear about the death of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, adding that he has rendered great services for making the defense of Pakistan impregnable. “May Allah Almighty grant the deceased high ranks in His mercy”.
Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Sirajul Haq while expressing grief and sorrow on the death of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan said that the nation and country has deprived of mentor of Pakistan.
Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood heaped praise on the nuclear scientist, referring to him as the “pioneer of Pakistan’s nuclear program”. “Sad to learn of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan’s death. He was a pioneer of Pakistan’s nuclear program and contributed immensely to our security. May his soul RIP,” he tweeted.
Islamic scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel prayed for the soul of the deceased and appreciated his services for Pakistan. “Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was a precious asset for Pakistan,” he tweeted. “He played a key role in ensuring Pakistan became a nuclear power.”
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza and all Services Chiefs have also expressed deep sorrow over the death of renowned Pakistani Nuclear scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan.
In a condolence message issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said Dr. Abdul Qadeer has rendered invaluable services to strengthen Pakistan’s defence.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad in a statement said that deeply saddened at passing away of national hero Dr. AQ Khan. Great loss. Invaluable contributions for Pak. Heartfelt condolences to family members and friends.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s former secretary general Sardar Jahangir Khan Tareen in a statement on twitter said that Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s services for Pakistan will always remain written in our history with golden words. May Allah grant him the highest rank in heaven. My heartfelt condolences to Dr. sb’s family and loved ones. May they find strength to bear this loss. Ameen.
PML-N leader and former governor Sindh Mohammad Zubair wrote on twitter the nation mourns the death of Dr. Qadeer who made Pakistan the 7th nuclear power ensuring our enemies cannot dare to attempt to break up Pakistan. We are indebted to his contribution for the glory of Pakistan. May Allah rest his soul in peace.
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. He later said his family decided that as per his will he will be buried at the H-8 graveyard.
“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.
The national flag of Pakistan will be flown at half-mast, the minister said, adding that the demise has left the entire nation bereaved. “The prime minister has directed to bury Dr Qadeer with full [state] honours,” the interior minister said, adding that the ministers have been directed to attend the funeral prayers as well.
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, born on April 1, 1936, in Bhopal, India, was a renowned Pakistani metallurgist and nuclear scientist. He was among those who migrated to Pakistan in 1947 with their families.
Khan is widely regarded as the “Father of Islamic Nuclear Bomb” or founder of gas-centrifuge enrichment technology for Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent program as he developed the Muslim world’s first atomic bomb.
He acquired his engineering degree from a university in the Netherlands in 1967 and later went on to secure a doctorate in metallurgical engineering from Belgium.
Dr. Khan was the first Pakistani was awarded three presidential awards. He has been awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence) twice and the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) once.
He did a science degree at Karachi University in 1960, then went on to study metallurgical engineering in Berlin before completing advanced studies in the Netherlands and Belgium.
After learning of India’s nuclear test in 1974, he had joined the 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.
In 2004, Dr Khan was at the centre of a massive global nuclear proliferation scandal. 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. He was subsequently placed under house arrest.
A court ended his house arrest in February 2009, but his movements were strictly guarded, and he was accompanied by authorities every time he left his home in Islamabad.
Later, he had filed a plea in the Lahore High Court seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights, including free movement. The LHC had rejected the plea in 2019 on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction in view of special security measures adopted by the state.
He had then moved the Supreme Court against the LHC’s decision, which had asked the attorney general to meet the nuclear scientist and allay his concerns.