NA pays homage to father of N-programme

Passes resolution; resolves to include Dr AQ Khan’s services in national curriculum

ISLAMBAD:

The National Assembly on Thursday passed a unanimous resolution to pay homage to the father of Pakistan’s nuclear programme Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan for his services to the country.

The National Assembly sitting, chaired by Speaker Asad Qaiser, paid homage to the services Dr Qadeer, MNA Pervez Malik and legendary actor Umar Sharif rendered for the country and the nation.

The resolution was presented by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan.

In the resolution, members of the assembly recommended the inclusion of Dr Qadeer’s services in the national curriculum. Besides, they also demanded that the country's major airports, motorways, one of the entrances to parliament be named after Dr Qadeer and that Dr Qadeer Awards be given to students who excel in the field of education.

The House also paid homage to the services of lawmaker Pervez Malik and legendary actor Umar Sharif.

The usual agenda of the meeting was suspended and turned into a condolence reference.

At the outset, the NA speaker expressed sorrow over the death of Dr Qadeer and MNA Malik.

He said that Dr Qadeer was the father of Pakistan’s nuclear programme. “He made the defence of the country invincible.”

The speaker said that Malik was a very senior and experienced politician and parliamentarian. “The death of Pervez Malik is a great loss for this House.”

On behalf of the entire House, he said, “I offer my condolences to both the personalities and the families”.

Qaiser also expressed grief over the demise of actor Umar Sharif and prayed for the eternal peace of the three distinguished men. The prayers were led by MNA Maulana Akbar Chitrali.

Addressing the condolence reference, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Dr Qadeer not only played a role in making the country a nuclear power but also prepared a team of scientists to take the nuclear programme forward.

The foreign minister said that former president of Pakistan Ishaq Khan and PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto worked hard in every era, including Nawaz Sharif’s, to safeguard and advance the nuclear programme. “The whole nation is in agreement on the nuclear programme and there was no difference of opinion on it.”

Former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that Dr Qadeer was a hero of this country. The treatment meted out to Dr Qadeer was deplorable. “Dr Qadeer Khan will always live in our hearts.”

Dr Qadeer was brought to Pakistan by late ZAB, he said, adding that he finally laid the foundation of the nuclear programme. “Our nuclear programme is the guarantor of the country's defence.”

PML-N’s Khawaja Asif said that Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was our hero. “Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan spent many years in semi-detention. It is our duty to acknowledge his services.”

Dr Qadeer was defeated by the then government, he said. “Those who serve the country under external pressure and political expediency should not be discouraged.”

Khawaja Asif apologised on behalf of the entire nation for the treatment meted out to Dr Qadeer.

The minister of state for parliamentary affairs said, “Quaid-e-Azam made the country while Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan saved Pakistan.”