The Pakistani nuclear scientist, admired for having the country’s first Islamic nuclear power, was accused of illegally broadcast technology to Iran, North Korea and Libya.
Le Monde with AFP
Abdul Qadeer Khan, “father” of the atomic bomb in Pakistan and a national hero for his admirers, died at age 85, announced the Pakistani authorities Sunday, October 10. Pakistani nuclear scientist, admired for having the country’s first Islamic nuclear power, but accused of illegally broadcast technology to Iran, North Korea and Libya, died after being transferred to the KRL hospital Islamabad to lung problems, according to public television PTV Pakistan.
Dr Khan had already been hospitalized at this property in August after testing positive to Covid-19, then sent him home before his condition deteriorated on Sunday morning, said the chain.
National Hero in May 1998
Pakistani President Arif Alvi said he was on Twitter ” deeply saddened “by the death of the scientist, he had known since 1982:
“It helped us develop a nuclear deterrent critical for the survival of the nation and the country, grateful, will never forget his services.”
Dr Khan had won his status as a national hero in May 1998 when the Islamic Republic of Pakistan officially became a military nuclear power, through tests conducted a few days after those in India, the eternal rival. He then returned to the heart of a controversy, accused of illegally disseminate technologies, and was placed de facto house arrest in Islamabad in 2004.
Suffering from prostate cancer in 2006, he recovered thanks to an operation. In 2009, a court had pronounced the end of her house arrest. Since then, he remained subjected to an ultra-close protection, forced to inform in advance the authorities of each movement.