The 90th birth anniversary of renowned scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, the architect of Pakistan’s nuclear program, is being celebrated across the country on April 1.
Dr. Khan was born on April 1, 1936, in Bhopal, India, and migrated to Pakistan in 1952. He received his early higher education from Karachi University, where he obtained a degree in metallurgy, and later earned his doctorate through higher studies in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. He was the father of two daughters.
Globally recognized as the “Father of Pakistan’s Nuclear Program,” Dr. Khan played a key role in strengthening the country’s defense through his expertise in uranium enrichment via gas centrifuge technology.
Following India’s nuclear test in 1974, Dr. Khan joined Pakistan’s nuclear program and founded the Kahuta Research Laboratories in 1976. Under his leadership, the institution became a central hub for developing the country’s nuclear capability.
This monumental effort culminated in successful nuclear detonations in the Chagai district of Balochistan on May 28, 1998, followed by further tests on May 30. These events established Pakistan as the world’s seventh and the Islamic world’s first nuclear power.
In recognition of his services, the Government of Pakistan awarded him the country’s highest civil honors, the Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 1989 and the Nishan-i-Imtiaz on two separate occasions in 1996 and 1999.
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan passed away in Islamabad on October 10, 2021, and was laid to rest in the H-8 graveyard. His final resting place remains a central point for citizens to visit and pay their respects.
According to analysts, Dr. Khan’s contributions not only strengthened Pakistan’s national defense but also significantly enhanced the country’s international standing, solidifying his legacy as a benefactor of the nation.