Dr. AQ Khan: A real Hero of Pakistan

 Dr. AQ Khan has been indelibly etched into Pakistan's history as the indisputable Father of the Bomb. Soon after India's nuclear explosion in May 1974, he volunteered his services to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the prime minister of Pakistan. After the horrific events of 1971 and the partition of Pakistan as a result of external aggression, this Indian test had occurred not long after. The young Pakistani scientist who was then living and working in Europe was profoundly affected by both of these. He warned Mr. Bhutto in a letter that Pakistan should "never again" find itself in such a vulnerable position and that, despite being a member of US-led military coalitions, it was torn apart with impunity, earning the dubious distinction of being the first Third World nation to have its map destroyed.

The territorial integrity, unity, and sovereignty of Pakistan could not be protected or preserved by the United Nations Charter, international law, or Pakistan's external alliances.

Dr. AQ Khan assured Prime Minister Bhutto that he could construct the Bomb, the ultimate deterrent, to ensure Pakistan's national security. Just five countries in the world possessed this level of nuclear capacity, but suddenly Pakistan's adversary, India, had joined this exclusive club. Dr. AQ Khan only asked Mr. Bhutto for one thing in return: "Just give me a free hand, and I'll deliver" As a result, given Mr. Bhutto's enthusiasm for the bomb and his propensity for getting things done, the required preparations were quickly under way. For the construction of the nuclear site, Kahuta was selected, a Special Works Organization (SWO) was established, near to Islamabad.

The duty of building Kahuta was given to the Pakistan Army's Corps of Engineers, with the SWO under the command of Brigadier Zahid Ali Akbar Khan at the time. A year later, Brigadier Anis Ali Syed took over as head of the SWO. Apart from the regular security structure, a special protection force led by Lt. General Ali Zamin Naqvi was given responsibility for security.

The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission split the Engineering Research Laboratories (ERL), afterwards renamed AQ Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) by President Zia (PAEC).

The nuclear test location was decided to be at Chaghi. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed, a renowned nuclear physicist, first proposed the idea in October 1979, and the test was conducted there on May 28, 1998.

The 1500-kilometer-range Ghauri Strategic Missile, which was tested on April 6, 1998, was also designed by Dr. Khan. Dr. AQ Khan, the Army Commander, General Jehangir Karamat, and I, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the time—I was the information minister—met at the PM House for a high-level meeting. Dr. Khan excitedly showed us the test's video cassette, which he displayed on a television.

Pakistan honors Dr. AQ Khan, the nation's Saviour, for his outstanding services to Pakistan's security and safety!