Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Islamabad Holds Reference for (Late) Dr. A. Q. Khan (N.I. & Bar, H.I.)

Pakistan Academy of Science (PAS) held a hybrid Reference Meeting for (Late) Dr. Abdul Quadeer Khan (N.I. & Bar, H.I.), Founding Chairman, Dr. A.Q. Khan Research Laboratories, Kahuta & Fellow Pakistan Academy of Sciences who breathed his last on October 10, 2021 and was buried in H-8 Graveyard, Islamabad.

The Reference Session was well attended by the Fellows and Members of the Academy both physically in the PAS Auditorium as well as virtually (on line). The main objective of the meeting was to pay homage and tributes to this great Nuclear Scientist and Metallurgist of Pakistan who made valuable scientific contributions and achievements in the process of making Pakistan an Atomic Power, the 7^th in the entire World and the 1^st among the Muslim nations.

Prof. Dr. Tasawar Hayat (H.I., S.I., T.I), Secretary General, Pakistan Academy of Sciences presented Introductory Welcome to the audience. He informed the audience that Dr. A.Q. Khan was elected as Fellow of the Academy in the year 1988. Throughout his association with the Academy and specially during his six years’ tenure as President of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences from 1997-2002, Dr. Khan made all out efforts and support for the upgradation and sustainability of scientific and academic activities of the Academy.

Nine Fellows and one Member of the Academy who happened to be close associates of Dr. A.Q. Khan spoke at the occasion and shared their memories and views on the scientific and social life of this highly celebrated nuclear scientist of Pakistan. It was reflected that throughout his scientific career, Dr. A.Q. Khan remained a strong source of encouragement and support for his fellow colleagues, associated scientific community including scientists, engineers and researchers at the Academy and within the strategic scientific institutions, as well as students with in universities, colleges and schools and above all the common masses.

In his closing address, Dr. Khalid Mahmood Khan (S.I.), President Pakistan Academy of Sciences lauded Dr. A.Q. Khan for his high grade technical and management skills that enabled Pakistan to achieve wonders in the field of defense and cutting-end technology. His intellectual contributions to Pakistan were enumerable and his determination remained unmatched throughout his scientific & professional career. He praised Dr. Khan for his significant contributions for the uplift of the Academy and recommended that the Academy may initiate yearly Award of A.Q. Khan Gold Medal to an acclaimed researcher in the field of science & technology in Pakistan.

The meeting concluded that as one of the most highly decorated scientist of Pakistan, (Late) Dr. A.Q. Khan has left behind a rich harvest of sweet memories and marvelous achievements as inspiration for all those who know him and for the generations to come. The nation will always remember him as Mohsin-e-Pakistan.