PM, President, Army Chief condoles Dr Khan’s death
ISLAMABAD: Founder of Pakistan’s Nuclear Programme Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan passed away in Islamabad on Sunday morning after protracted illness at the age of 85.
President, Prime Minister, all the three Chiefs of Armed Forces, Ministers and Opposition leaders expressed termed it great loss to the nation as a vast majority of Pakistanis burst into grief, expressing their sorrow on various social media platforms and personal messages to one another as they paid tributes to Pakistan’s best-known scientist, who gave the country its atomic weapon programme despite the bitter opposition of the hostile India and Western nations.
Dr. Abdul Qadeer was tested positive for COVID-19 in August, and remained hospitalised at KRL Hospital, and later military-run CMH Hospital in Rawalpindi. He remained hospitalised for quite some time and faced severe breathing problem. After his health improved, he was discharged from hospital, but was kept in round-the-clock medical observation till his death.
At his house, a full-time doctor and paramedical staff was on duty to take care of him. According to doctors, Dr. Khan experienced breathing problems late night and by early Sunday morning the on-duty doctor called the ambulance to shift him to the KRL Hospital since his condition worsened. Dr. Khan was brought to the hospital at 6.0 am and despite best efforts by the doctors, he expired at around 7 am.
Doctors declared lung problems as the cause of his death as COVID-19 further deteriorated his health.
Prime Minister Imran Khan in his condolence message posted on Twitter said that Dr. Khan was loved by the nation because of his critical contribution in making Pakistan a nuclear weapon state. “This has provided us security against an aggressive (and) much larger nuclear neighbour. For the people of Pakistan he was a national icon,” he said.
The premier added that he will be buried at the Faisal Mosque “as per his wishes”.
President Arif Alvi in his condolence message said: “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.”
Leader of Opposition Shehbaz Sharif also termed his death a great loss. “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!” he said.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza and all Services Chiefs expressed deep sorrow over the death of Dr. Khan, who also regularly wrote articles for various publications in which in one way or another he always gave a message of hope and called for unity and hard work to take the country forward.
In a condolence message issued here by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said Dr. Qadeer rendered invaluable services to strengthen Pakistan’s defence.
“May Allaah exalt the ranks of the deceased,” the Army Chief prayed.
Defence Minister Pervez Khattak said he was “deeply grieved” and called it a “great loss”. “Pakistan will forever honour his services to the nation! The nation is heavily indebted to him for his contributions in enhancing our defence capabilities.”
Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar said that Dr. Khan had played an important role in making the country “invincible”.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Sheikh Raheed while talking to media told that Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed all cabinet members to attend Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s funeral. Rasheed said that the government will accord a state funeral to the scientist in recognition of his services.
He said the top brass of Armed Forces will also attend the funeral.
The funeral will be offered at the Shah Faisal Mosque, he said.
“He was a great scientist. He served his country and served it with dignity and hard work,” the minister stressed. “The entire country respects him and he will be buried with honour today at 3:30pm.” He informed media that the security has been alerted for the funeral.
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan was revered as a hero not only in Pakistan but in the Islamic world when in May 1998 Pakistan gave a befitting response to India by conducting its nuclear tests.
Born in 1936 in Bhopal, India, Dr. Khan had immigrated along with his family to Pakistan in 1947 after partition of the subcontinent. After learning of India’s nuclear tests in 1974, he joined his nation’s clandestine efforts to develop the nuclear programme. He had founded the Khan Research Laboratories in 1976 and was its chief scientist and director for many years.
Following the tests, Pakistan became the sole nuclear power in the Muslim world and the seventh country to possess nuclear weapons. Pakistan’s nuclear weapons have kept Indian aggression in check. Dr. Khan was awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz and many other awards for his services to the country.