Known as a Hero in the country, Abdul Qadeer Khan was a Pakistani Nuclear scientist, who played a big part in taking Pakistan’s efforts in science, technology and security to new heights. Born in India to a Muslim family, he migrated to Pakistan in 1953, after the independence.
Here, we’ll see how his nuclear tests were a big threat to the already existing nuclear countries and how they banded together to prevent Pakistan from becoming a sovereign state.
Early Life

Abdul Qadeer Khan was brought into the world in the year 1936 in Bhopal, India. As the winds of change took him to Pakistan in 1952, his early years were marked by the rich cultural tapestry of the country. In education, he graduated from the University of Karachi with a degree in Metallurgy.
But his journey didn’t stop there. His thirst for knowledge was too great, leading him to Europe. He first set foot in Germany, where he enrolled at the renowned Technical University of Berlin to continue his studies. After that, he continued his studies in the Netherlands, where he earned his master’s degree from the prestigious Delft University of Technology. As he was always interested in metallurgy, he earned his Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.
The Beginning of Project – 706
In 1972, his endeavors brought him back to the Netherlands, where he went to work for URENCO, a nuclear fuel company and was assigned to the uranium enrichment plants. For two years, life ran its course, which was overturned in 1974 when the world got to know about the first atomic tests conducted by India. This event stirred something within Khan, a sense of duty to his homeland.
He wanted to ensure Pakistan’s security, so he reached out to the Pakistani Prime Minister, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and offered his services to Pakistan in developing its own nuclear capabilities.
Mr. Khan stayed in the Netherlands for another year and meticulously gathered information. His dedication reached a pinnacle when he returned to Pakistan in December 1975, carrying with him stolen blueprints of gas centrifuges—key components for uranium enrichment.
His covert actions did not go unnoticed; the Dutch government launched an investigation, eventually sentencing Khan in absentia to four years in prison. However, this conviction was later overturned on appeal, leaving him free to continue his work in Pakistan, where he would become a pivotal figure in the nation’s nuclear program.
Mission: Nuclear Pakistan
After his return to Pakistan, Mr. Abdul Qadeer embarked on a mission that would change the course of the nation’s history. He established a state-of-the-art laboratory in the town of Kahuta, a facility that would later be renamed the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL). Here, he dedicated himself to the development of highly enriched uranium (HEU), a critical component of Pakistan’s nuclear ambitions.
However, Khan’s path was not without obstacles. Many challenges came from powerful nations determined to thwart his efforts. Countries like the United States and India employed covert methods to disrupt his work, recognizing the strategic significance of Pakistan’s nuclear ambitions. One of the major incidents occurred during the hijacking of Flight 544, which was en route from Gwadar to Karachi. Mid-flight, three men seized control of the plane, demanding that it be diverted to Delhi, India.
Their intentions were clear: to undermine Abdul Qadeer Khan’s work and send a powerful message. But the bravery of the pilot and the swift action of the armed forces thwarted the hijackers’ plan. Instead of reaching Delhi, the plane was safely landed in Hyderabad, Pakistan, where the hijackers were arrested. This incident stands as a stark reminder of the lengths to which external forces went to prevent Pakistan from achieving its nuclear goals.
Within Pakistan, his primary rival was Munir Ahmad Khan, the Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), who was leading efforts to develop a plutonium-based bomb. Though despite the rivalry, Munir Ahmad Khan retained his position with PAEC, but Bhutto, recognizing A. Q. Khan’s determination and vision, granted him near-complete autonomy over Pakistan’s uranium enrichment program, code-named “Project-706.”
The Kahuta gas centrifuge plant produced its first batch of HEU in 1982 under the leadership of Abdul Qadeer Khan, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s nuclear journey. His determination paid off, and with the assistance of China’s implosion bomb design, Pakistan’s atomic bomb became a reality.

On May 28, 1998, Pakistan successfully detonated its first nuclear devices, using bomb cores built under Mr. Abdul Qadeer’s direction. After the tests, unwavering in his resolve, he declared, “I never had any doubts I was building a bomb. We had to do it.”
His Legacy
Even in the face of controversies that surrounded his career, Abdul Qadeer Khan remains a legendary figure in the eyes of the citizens of Pakistan. He is celebrated as a national hero who played a pivotal role in advancing the country’s science, technology, and security.
His contributions have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the numerous accolades he has received over the years. Among his many honors are forty-five gold medals, three gold crowns, and the prestigious Nishan-i-Imtiaz, the country’s highest civilian award, which was awarded to him twice, making him one of the greatest personalities of Pakistan. Learn more about Abdul Qadeer Khan and the Flight 544 Hijacking that nearly stopped all nuclear efforts in Pakistan here!