Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, a renowned nuclear scientist and national symbol, was laid to rest in Islamabad on Sunday.
On Sunday, his funeral prayers were held at the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.
Despite the rain that began to fall soon before the prayers at 3:30 p.m., a huge crowd turned up.
Within the mosque grounds, two distinct enclosures were set up, one of which was specifically for the general public.
After his health worsened, Khan, 85, died early Sunday morning.
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, began to deteriorate Saturday night, and he was taken to the KRL hospital in an ambulance at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.
According to sources, the nuclear physicist had difficulty breathing and was taken to the hospital. His condition, however, took a turn for the worst when his lungs began to haemorrhage.
Doctors attempted all they could to save the famous scientist’s life, but they were unsuccessful, and he died at 7:04 a.m. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan died when his lungs collapsed, according to doctors.
Rasheed stated that the scientist will be given a state funeral in honour of his contributions to Pakistan.
Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, the interior minister added, had aided him much with educational initiatives and had remained a visionary leader during a difficult moment in Pakistan’s history.
“He is the Mohsin-e-Pakistan,” Rasheed said.
Later, during a news conference, the minister stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan had ordered all cabinet members to attend Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan’s burial.
In answer to a query, he stated that the funeral will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the Shah Faisal Mosque, and that the public will be permitted to attend.
‘Dr Khan serves country with dignity and hard work’
“He was a great scientist. He served his country and served it with dignity and hard work,” the minister stressed. “The entire country respects him and he will be buried with honour today at 3:30pm.”
He informed media that the security has been alerted for the funeral.
Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan became a national hero overnight, not only in Pakistan but in the Islamic world as well, when in May 1998 Pakistan gave a befitting response to India by conducting its nuclear tests.
Following the tests, Pakistan became the sole nuclear power in the Muslim world and the seventh country to possess nuclear weapons. Pakistan’s nuclear weapons have kept Indian aggression in check.
Condolences pour in
Prime Minister Imran Khan praised Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan by saying that he was, for the people of Pakistan, “a national icon”
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr A Q Khan. He was loved by our nation bec of his critical contribution in making us a nuclear weapon state. This has provided us security against an aggressive much larger nuclear neighbour. For the people of Pakistan he was a national icon,” he tweeted.
