The great nations honor their heroes and never forget the services and sacrifices for their countries. The nation of Pakistan will never forget and will remember the great contribution of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. A name of patriotism, resilience, bravery, and courage, his life remains a beacon of inspiration for the youth of Pakistan. His unmatched services, academic brilliance, and unwavering dedication offer valuable lessons in nation-building, progress, and leadership.
Dr. A.Q. Khan and the Mohsin-e-Pakistan were born on April 1, 1936, in Bhopal, India. Following the partition of the subcontinent, he migrated to Pakistan with his family in 1947, carrying the hopes and big dreams of a new nation in his heart.
Dr. A.Q. Khan led a life of resilience, deep patriotism, and exceptional scientific vision. He began his academic journey in metallurgical engineering at the University of Karachi, later earning advanced degrees from the Delft University of Technology, Netherlands, and the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.
In 1976, Dr. Khan founded the Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL), which became the cornerstone of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program. Under his leadership, Pakistan achieved a historic milestone by conducting its first successful nuclear tests on May 28, 1998, at Chagai, Balochistan, Pakistan. A great and memorable moment when five underground nuclear explosions firmly established the nation’s defense deterrent and secured its sovereignty. Dr. Khan received two of Pakistan’s highest civilian awards: Hilal-e-Imtiaz and Nishan-e-Imtiaz.
There are many lessons from the life of A.Q. Khan for the youth of Pakistan. With the help of God, the young minds can dream big, fly high, shine well, and lead with purpose, like the way of A.Q. Khan. His life offers some valuable lessons and guidance for the youth of Pakistan can be summarized as follows:
= Pursuance of academic excellence and skill sets: Dr. A. Q. Khan’s having an excellent educational background and expertise in metallurgy and nuclear sciences. Education played a very crucial role in his contributions. Young minds must pursue innovative knowledge with passion, strive for expertise in their chosen field, and use it not only for personal and social growth but also for the service and progress of their nation. In this modern technological world, there are many opportunities to rise with dignity and power with quality education, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and leadership.
= Dedication and hard work: His tireless efforts and commitment to Pakistan’s nuclear program demonstrate the importance of perseverance. Youth must understand the power of unshakable dedication, unwavering commitment, and relentless hard work to make their lives beautiful and graceful. If young minds wish to contribute to national progress, they must embrace hard work to achieve their goals and stay dedicated even in tough situations and frightful obstacles in their way. They must carry on their journey with deduction and high will power.
= Patriotism and service: Dr. Khan’s love for Pakistan and his desire to serve the nation highlight the value of putting the country first. The life of A.Q. Khan exemplifies patriotism and service to the nation. He dedicated himself to making Pakistan a nuclear power, ensuring its security, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. Youth must have apatriotic approach to their country and the people of their beloved homeland. As A.Q. Khan proved that the intellect combined with patriotism can dismantle any barrier.
= Innovation and Problem-Solving: Dr. Khan’s work demonstrated the power of innovative thinking and creative problem-solving in addressing national challenges. The young minds of the nation should be very creative, innovative. They must learn the technological trends prevailing and try their best to solve the problems of the real world.
= Resilience and Adaptability: Instead of facing a lot of hardships, complications and frightful obstacles, and controversies, Dr. A.Q. Khan remained steadfast in his mission and vision. This reminds the youth of the nation that with the help of Allah Almighty, if you have a big cause and mission in your life, then the obstacles and challenges can’t stop you from demonstrating your true potential and from reshaping the destiny of your nation.
= Love with the Book of Allah (Quran): While keeping in view theremarkable achievements of A.Q. Khan, it was found and read in the literature about his love and inspiration with the holy book of Allah Almighty. The great book of the Holy Quran is a source of scientific wisdom and knowledge. The Muslim scientists explore the verses of the Holy Quran for clues about the mysteries of the universe. It is rightly said and probably refers to A.Q. Khan:
= “If the Muslim Ummah makes the Qur’an the guiding light of their lives, not only this world but the hereafter can also be set right.”
= I urge the youth of the nation and students to seek guidance from the Holy Quran in their personal, social, and professional matters. The Holy Quran is the mighty rope, the wise guide, and the book above every book. It is a great blessing in this universe for mankind.
= Selflessness: The youth of Pakistan should be very selfless in their vision and mission, just like Dr. A.Q. Khan. His dedication and commitment to the safety of Pakistan’s security and sovereignty stand as a good example of selflessness and a patriotic approach for his beloved homeland.His continuousefforts reflect his deep love for the nation. The young minds follow the same.
= National development and Responsibility: Dr. A.Q. Khan’s remarkable contributions instilled a profound sense of national development, progress, and responsibility. He emphasized that the strength of a nation lies in the collective responsibility of its citizens. By promoting unity and encouraging young people to rise above personal and societal differences, he inspired them to actively participate in the nation-building process. His vision centered on empowering the youth to focus on the country’s progress, prosperity, and long-term development, reminding them that each individual holds the power to shape their nation’s destiny.
= Motivation for Science and Technology: He was a strong proponent of advancing science and technology in Pakistan, founding institutions and initiating scholarship programs to foster scientific research. In today’s rapidly changing technological advancements, artificial intelligence, and global connectivity, the youth of Pakistan can integrate these advancements in their academic and personal growth. They can get the motivation from the life of this great scientist in this field and find the opportunities to contribute and uplift.
= Inspiring Young Minds: The life ofDr. Khan and his legacy serve as a timeless role model for the youth of the nation. His services, commitment, dedication, and sacrifices inspired the people of Pakistan. His life inspired young minds to pursue careers in STEM fields and actively contribute to national progress. The youth have to excel in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These lessons remain a beacon of inspiration for young Pakistanis to rise, contribute, and shape a brighter future for the nation.
Dr. A.Q. Khan was a believer in the power of knowledge, discipline, and selfless service to the motherland, and was very respected by the nation of Pakistan, even abroad by the Muslim countries. The great contribution of A.Q. Khan is to make Pakistan a nuclear weapons state. With the grace of Allah, thisis a big security against an aggressive nuclear neighbour. The people of Pakistan really love this great scientist and will remember the great services for their beloved homeland. Our nation celebrates Youm-e-Takbir as a national day in Pakistan on the date: 28 May every year. May Allah Subhana Ho Tala bless Dr. A.Q. Khan the Highest Rank in Janna Tul Firdoos. Amen. I invite the youth of the nation they follow the good aspect of the life of Dr. A.Q. Khan mentioned above. The young minds that belong to my beloved land can onlyfind the grace and success if their intentions and actions are pure and sincere, in addition based on the teachings of the Quran. Our youth are the true assets of our country. Let’s motivate them towards the great personalities, how they have served their country, and create an impact all over the world. May our youth grow well, rise well, and lead with purpose.
