The ‘father of Pakistan’s nuclear program’, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, passed away on Sunday, following which several notables took to Twitter to express their condolences and pay tribute to the renowned physicist.
Dr Khan succumbed to lung failure in Rawalpindi on Sunday at the age of 85. Responsible for developing Pakistan’s venerable nuclear energy program, Dr Khan was given a state funeral at the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad. He has been laid to rest at H-8 graveyard.
Several recalled Dr Khan for his contributions in making Pakistan a nuclear state, including Prime Minister Imran Khan. The PM was extremely sorrowful at the ‘national icon’s’ demise and furthered that he had helped Pakistan strengthen itself against a much larger nuclear neighbour, India.
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
President Dr Arif Alvi also expressed his sadness and said that Dr Khan had played a formidable role in developing ‘nation-saving nuclear deterrence’ for Pakistan.
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
Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif regretted Dr Khan’s passing and said that Pakistan had lost a true ‘benefactor’ who helped build the country’s nuclear program.
Today the nation has lost a true benefactor who served the motherland with heart and soul. The passing of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan is a huge loss for the country. His role in making Pakistan an atomic power remains central. May Allah shower his blessings on his soul!
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 10, 2021
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed his condolences and said that a ‘great patriotic son’ of Pakistan had died.
پی پی پی چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا ڈاکٹر عبدالقدیر خان کے انتقال پر گہرے دکھ و افسوس کو اظہار
پاکستان کا ایک عظیم محب وطن فرزند ہم سے بچھڑ گیا، آج ہر پاکستانی سوگوار ہے: بلاول بھٹو زرداری @BBhuttoZardari
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) October 10, 2021
Punjab Education Minister Muraad Raas said that Dr Khan’s contributions to Pakistan would always be remembered. Raas added that the physicist was one of the ‘pillars of Pakistan’.
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعون
The contribution by Dr sb can never be forgotten. It was his hard work and dedication that made Pakistan a Nuclear State. He will always be remembered as one of the Pillars of Pakistan. #DrAbdulQadeerKhan pic.twitter.com/RU2j2QBD7s— Murad Raas (@DrMuradPTI) October 10, 2021
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) member Rana Sanaullah Khan also paid tribute to Dr Khan and said that he was responsible for making Pakistan ‘invincible’ through nuclear technology.
#DrAbdulQadeerKhan’s commitment and contribution in making Pakistan invincible will go down as stupendous in the history books. The whole nation pays homage to his legacy on his sad demise. May Almighty bless him in the world hereafter. Ameen. #AQKhan 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/TX8r4ey6nN
— Rana Sanaullah Khan (@PresPMLNPunjab) October 10, 2021
Cricketer Shoaib Akhtar posted a hand-written note from Dr Khan and remembered how he encouraged him in his career when he played for Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) for many years.
Dr.Abdul Qadeer khan passed away. Inna lillahi wa inna elaihi rajaoon. He had a very big role in my career as i played for KRL for many years. His note of appreciation is one of my most cherished possessions.
He was truly Mohsin e Pakistan.#DrAbdulQadeerKhan pic.twitter.com/UALbd550Lq— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 10, 2021
Television host Waqar Zaka also remembered Dr Khan fondly. Zaka said that the scientist had inspired him to encourage the youth to explore new technologies.
I still remember how much he motivated me for influencing the youth to get into latest technologies, really sad day , #DrAbdulQadeerKhan pic.twitter.com/mx7YAuUZoa
— Waqar Zaka (@ZakaWaqar) October 10, 2021
While a lot of people focused on celebrating his life, journalist Asad Ali Toor said that the state funeral was just ‘optics’. Toor posted a government notice that said that the national flag would be flown at half-mast in mourning and accompanied it with a contrasting news report in which the nuclear scientist lamented that the PM had not asked about his health.
Now they will give him State funeral just to cash optics!#DrAbdulQadeerKhan pic.twitter.com/UDHCDFwm4m
— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) October 10, 2021
In September, Dr Khan spoke to a local media outlet and expressed his disappointment that no government official, including the PM himself, had inquired about his flailing health. Dr Khan was diagnosed with Covid-19 in August and his health declined consistently till his demise.
The renowned physicist was born in India and migrated to Pakistan in 1947. In 1976, he founded KRL, which became seminal for uranium enrichment research in the country.
In 2004, Dr Khan was involved in a nuclear proliferation scandal and was accused of revealing sensitive nuclear secrets by former president General Pervaiz Musharraf. Dr Khan admitted to his involvement and was pardoned. He was placed under house arrest, which ended in 2009.
For his contributions, Dr Khan was bestowed the Nishan-i-Imtiaz and has often been referred to as Mohsin-i-Pakistan, which means saviour of Pakistan.
