ISLAMABAD - Architect of Pakistan’s nuclear programme and renowned scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan died Sunday morning after developing health complications. He was 85. He is survived by his widow Henny Qadeer Khan and daughters Dina Khan and Ayesha Khan. Later, in the day he was laid to rest at the H-8 graveyard here with full state honour. 

His funeral prayer was offered at Faisal Mosque, which was attended by Acting President of Pakistan Sadiq Sanjrani, federal ministers, parliamentarians, civil and military officers and a large number of general public. Dr Abdul Qadir was admitted to a local hospital where he passed away after his deteriorated health.

President Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan have expressed sorrow over the demise of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. In pursuance of announcement by prime minister of Pakistan, state funeral was accorded to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan. The national flag of the country also flew at half mast on Sunday.

In their separate messages, they prayed for high ranks of the departed soul and also expressed their condolences with the bereaved family. The President on his twitter handle said Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan helped to develop the nation-saving nuclear deterrence.

The Prime Minister in his tweet message said Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was loved by the nation for his critical contribution in making Pakistan a nuclear weapon state.  He said this has provided us security against an aggressive and much larger nuclear neighbour.

The Prime Minister said Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was a national icon for the people of Pakistan.

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 cabinet members and parliamentarians also expressed  grief and sorrow.

Political leaders including PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali Khan also expressed grief over the sad demise of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan.

In their separate messages, they paid rich tribute to the departed soul and acknowledged contributions of the great atomic scientist in making Pakistan’s defence impregnable.

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 achievements also enabled Pakistan to counter Indian growing aggression.

In 1960, Dr Khan graduated from the University of Karachi. Later, he pursued his studies abroad, in the West Berlin and then in 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.

 

People belonging to different segments of society expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of well-known Pakistani Nuclear Scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.

 

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza and all Services Chiefs expressed deep sorrow over the death of renowned Pakistani Nuclear Scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.

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.

 

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of renowned scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan. In a condolence message, the foreign minister stated that Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was a great man and a patriotic Pakistani. His services will always be remembered, said FM Qureshi.

Minister for Defense Pervez Khattak expressed deep sorrow over the demise of ‘Mohsin-e-Pakistan’, Nuclear Scientist, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan. In a condolence message issued by the Ministry of Defence, he said the death of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was a great loss for the nation.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of renowned scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan.

In a tweet, the minister said that entire nation was mourning his death. Paying tributes to the deceased, Fawad Hussain said that Dr Khan’s services for the nation and his contributions for strengthening Pakistan’s defence will always be remembered.

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan in his condolence message said that Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was a big asset of nation. He said that he played vital role to strengthen Pakistan’s defence.

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Farman Sunday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.

Governor Shah Farman paid tribute to the services of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and said that he will be remembered with golden words.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, expressed their grief and sorrow over the death of Nuclear Scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. In separate condolence messages issued here, they said the services of late Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan would always be remembered.