Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan is a famous Pakistani nuclear scientist and a metallurgical engineer. He is widely regarded as the founder of gas-centrifuge enrichment technology for Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent program. Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program is a source of extreme national pride. As its father, A.Q. Khan – who headed Pakistan’s nuclear program for some 25 years is considered a national hero.
Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was born in Bhopal, India in 1936. He immigrated with his family to Pakistan in 1947. He studied in St. Anthony’s High school and then enrolled at the D. J. Science College of Karachi, where he studied physics and mathematics under the supervision of noted solar physicist Dr. Bashir Syed. He obtained a B.Sc. degree in 1960 from the University of Karachi, majoring in physical metallurgy.
After graduating, he worked as an inspector of weight and measures in Karachi. He later resigned and went to work in Netherlands in the 1970’s. Khan had a distinguished career and being one of the most senior scientists at the nuclear plant he worked in, had privileged access to the most restricted areas of the URENCO facility, as well as to documentation on the gas centrifuge technology.
In December, 1974, he came back to Pakistan and tried to convince Bhutto to adopt his Uranium route rather than Plutonium route in building nuclear weapons. According to the media reports, A.Q. Khan had a close and cordial relationship with President General Mohammad Zia ul-Haq and the Military of Pakistan. He also maintained a close relationship with the Pakistan Air Force.
After his role in Pakistan’s nuclear program Khan re-organized the Pakistani’s national space agency, SUPARCO. In the late of 1990s, Khan was actively and heavily involved in Pakistan’s space program, especially the Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) and Pakistan’s first Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) project. Khan’s open promotion of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities became something of an embarrassment to Pakistan’s government. The United States government became increasingly convinced that Pakistan was trading nuclear weapons technology with North Korea in exchange for ballistic missile technology. Khan also came under renewed scrutiny following the September 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S. He sold nuclear technology to Iran. However he was pardoned in 2004 but placed under house arrest.
On the 22nd of August 2006, the Pakistani government announced that Khan had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and was undergoing treatment. He was released from house arrest in Februray 2009.
Contribution to Metallurgical Education:
Khan played an important role in the establishment of engineering universities in Pakistan. He established a metallurgy and material science institute in Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, which is known as Dr. A. Q. Khan Department of Metallurgical Engineering and material sciences. Here he served as both executive member and director. Khan played an important and key role in establishing the Dr. A. Q. Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering at Karachi University. Khan introduces metallurgical engineering courses in many newly-founded universities and sciences colleges in Pakistan.
Despite his international image, Khan remains widely popular among in Pakistanis and he is considered domestically to be one of the most-influential and respected scientists in Pakistan.
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
Dr.ABDUL QADEER KHAN
Tribute to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan - Mohsin-e-Pakistan
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