AQ Khan was not accorded the respect he deserved, says daughter

Late nuclear scientist's daughter hopes he will be praised for his work in the times to come

RAWALPINDI:

The daughter of nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Dr Dina, on Thursday said her father was not accorded the respect he deserved.

Dr AQ Khan is considered a national hero for making Pakistan the first atomic power of the Islamic world and shoring up the country's defence. 

Dr Dina, speaking at a condolence event in Rawalpindi, said her family was going through a difficult time and expressed hope that her father's work will be praised in the times to come. 

Thanking all her late father's well-wishers, she recalled that people used to bring flowers for him when he was unwell and under treatment in Karachi. 

Speaking on the occasion, President Rawalpindi High Court Bar Sardar Abdul Razzaq said Dr Khan was the founder of Pakistan's atomic power.

Also read Strategic importance of Dr AQ Khan’s contributions

He observed that the scientist devoted his efforts to the country's nuclear programme at a time when it was in difficult circumstances.

"Dr AQ Khan had said he could make Pakistan an atomic power, and this was welcomed by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto," he remarked.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Imran Khan's adviser Babar Awan termed Dr Khan and his children Mohsin-e-Pakistan.

He announced that a prominent place in Islamabad will be named after the late nuclear scientist.

Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, who died in Islamabad on October 10 after a protracted illness, was hailed as an icon for creating Pakistan's nuclear capability in the face of a four-time bigger India.

Pakistan, to carry on honouring the lifelong legacy and spirit of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, is now the first international Muslim-majority nation that is operating civil nuclear power plants — at Karachi’s KANUPP, and Punjab’s Chasma-1 and 2 along with CHASNUPP — in order to develop clean energy for mitigating the climate crisis.