Dr AQ Khan’s selfless work for Pakistan remembered
The special meeting of the governing council of Dr A. Q. Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE) was held at its Jinnah Auditorium to pay homage and tribute to the Mohsin-e-Pakistan, late Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.
Speaking at the meeting through video link, Dr Dina Khan, the daughter of Dr A. Q. Khan, said that her father remained attached to KIBGE and despite his poor health he used to visit the institute to meet students, researchers, faculty, and trainers of various programmes on regular basis and always felt happy that researchers coming from all over the country were taking benefit.
Expressing his views, former KU vice chancellor, Professor Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui said that Dr A. Q. Khan was a man who liked to help others. Besides, making Pakistan a nuclear country, he had a purpose in life and he wanted to provide quality education and basic health facilities to the common people.
Speaking on the occasion, another former vice chancellor, Professor Dr Muhammad Qaiser said that Dr A. Q. Khan's love for the country was unmatchable as he always wanted the development of Pakistan. Education and health sectors were his topmost priorities, he added.
In his views, KU Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi said that Dr A. Q. Khan, a successful person, was respected and loved by the nation because he sacrificed everything to make Pakistan a peaceful nuclear state.
Decades-old friend Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan said that we all know that Dr A. Q. Khan was a noble and honest man and has unconditional love for the country. Although he had a reputation as a nuclear scientist, he also made suggestions to the governments from time to time on the betterment of Pakistan's economy.
"Owing to Dr A. Q. Khan's contribution, our enemies now cannot use a nuclear weapon against Pakistan," he added.
General (retd) Moinuddin Haider said that services rendered by Dr A. Q. Khan will always be remembered. Next generations will learn from his successes.
Sultan Chawla, a businessman, said, it is not possible to count the services, rendered by Dr A. Q. Khan. He was not only a nuclear scientist but he was also a person who served the humanity.
Taking part in the discussion, Professor Dr Zabita Khan Shinwari said, although Dr A. Q. Khan had European citizenship but he prefered to live in Pakistan to serve the country.
Former director general of KIBGE, Dr Hassan Mujtaba Naqvi said that Dr A. Q. Khan faced many difficulties in life but he never gave up and continued with his mission.
The DG KIBGE, Professor Dr Abid Azhar said, Dr A. Q. was a man of knowledge and philanthropist. He always strived to serve humanity without distinction.
Dr Anwar Naseem said that Dr A. Q. Khan wanted to build a hospital in Lahore. The construction of this hospital has already started. We all are working together to complete his dream.
At the end of the meeting, special dua and prayers were offered for Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2021.