ISLAMABAD, Oct 10 (APP): Architect of Pakistan’s nuclear programme and renowned scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, 85, died here on Sunday morning after developing health complications.
President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed their deep grief and sorrow over the demise of Dr AQ Khan. They also prayed for the high ranks of the departed soul and offered condolences to the bereaved family.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on his twitter account said that Dr AQ Khan was loved by the nation because of his critical contribution in making us a nuclear weapon state. “For the people of Pakistan he was a national icon,” he added.
The prime minister in related tweet further posted that Dr Khan would be buried in Faisal Mosque as per his wishes.
According to Dr Khan’s family members, his health condition started deteriorating on Saturday night, after which he was rushed to hospital, however, he could not survive.
Condolences came pouring from all quarters after the nation heard the sad news on Sunday morning.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Minister for Defence Pervaiz Khattak, Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister of State for Information Farrukh Habib, Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood and others expressed their deep grief and condolences.
His Namaz-e-Janaza will be offered at Faisal Mosque on Sunday afternoon.
Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, was born on April 1, 1936, in Bhopal, India. He became a national hero and was held in high esteem in the Muslim world after Pakistan conducted its nuclear tests during May 1998, in a befitting response to earlier tests performed by India.
After developing nuclear deterrence, Pakistan emerged as the sole nuclear power in the Muslim world. The achievement also enabled Pakistan to counter Indian growing aggression.
During 1960, Dr Khan graduated from the University of Karachi. Later, he pursued his studies abroad, first in West Berlin and then in the Netherlands, from where he received a master’s degree in metallurgy in 1967. During 1972, he earned a doctorate in metallurgical engineering from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.
Dr Khan was a recipient of Nishan-e-Imtiaz and Hilal-e-Imtiaz, as the highest acknowledgement for his meritorious services to the nation and country.
