Abdul Qadeer Khan was a prominent Pakistani scientist and engineer who played a pivotal role in the development of Pakistan's nuclear program. Born on April 1, 1936, in Bhopal, India, Khan is widely known as the "Father of Pakistan's Nuclear Bomb."
Khan graduated with a degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of Karachi in 1960. He then pursued further studies in Europe and obtained a doctorate degree in metallurgy from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. Khan's expertise in metallurgy proved crucial in his later work in the field of uranium enrichment.
In the 1970s, Khan joined Pakistan's nuclear program, initially established to work on peaceful uses of nuclear energy. However, with the covert support of the Pakistani government, Khan secretly initiated a clandestine nuclear weapons program. He played a key role in developing Pakistan's uranium enrichment capabilities, allowing the country to produce highly enriched uranium for weapons purposes.
Abdul Qadeer Khan's achievements in the nuclear field made him a national hero in Pakistan. However, his involvement in illicit proliferation activities and the establishment of a global black market for nuclear technology tarnished his reputation. In 2004, Khan confessed to transferring nuclear technology to countries like Libya, Iran, and North Korea. He was subsequently placed under house arrest by the Pakistani government, but was eventually released in 2009.
Despite the controversial aspects of his career, Abdul Qadeer Khan's pivotal role in Pakistan's journey to becoming a nuclear power remains a significant part of his legacy.
