Re: Remembering Unsung Heroes: Munir Ahmad Khan
Mr. jedi,
Here is another piece of information for you, and this again is coming from the mouth of Dr.Samar Mubarikmand, Chairman NESCOM and former Member (Technical), Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. So is all this propaganda? or are you not willing to unlearn myths and falsifications of history?
For the record, following are the views of Dr. Samar Mubarakmand, Chairman NESCOM, about former PAEC Chairman Munir Ahmad Khan.
The Nation, May 2, 2003.
Pakistan became nuclear state in 1983 : Dr Samar
ISLAMABAD (PPI) – Dr Samar Mubarakmand, Chairman of the newly created strategic production complex, said that Pakistan became nuclear state in 1983.
He said that Pakistan’s nuclear capability was confirmed the day in 1983 when PAEC carried out cold nuclear tests under the guidance and stewardship of late Munir Ahmad Khan.
He was addressing a reference here in which glowing tributes were paid to late Munir Ahmad Khan, former chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. Khan died four years ago in Vienna from cardiac complications.
Dr N.M. Butt, scientist emeritus at the PAEC, and Senator Farhatullah Babar, spokesman of Pakistan Peoples Party, also addressed the reference held under the auspices of Islamabad chapter of the Ravians Association. A large number of former Ravians, attended the function.
Dr Samar further said, that 1983 ‘s tests, however, were not publicly announced because of the international environment of stiff sanctions against countries, which sought to acquire nuclear capability.
Fifteen years after the development of Chaghi sites and cold nuclear tests, it fell to the luck of Dr Samar to lead the PAEC team, which blasted the bombs.
“Munir Khan was both a visionary and a doer who planned goals and targets at least 10 to 15 years in advance and then set out in all earnestness to achieve those goals,” he said.
Dr Samar recalled how late Munir Ahmad Khan nurtured, guided and inspired his younger colleagues in the implementation of the nuclear programme ranging from uranium prospect ion, mining, making of uranium gas, fabrication of nuclear fuel, to the making of the nuclear device and to the selection and development of test sites in Chaghai mountains in Balochistan so that when the time came the actual blast could be carried out at a short notice.
Dr Samar said that the initial work for the setting up of the Kahuta enrichment plant was also carried out under the stewardship of late Munir Ahmad Khan, who selected its site and put in place the basic infrastructure of manpower, machines and materials for it.
He said that as many as 24 steps were involved in the making of a nuclear weapon ranging from exploration of uranium to the finished device and its trigger mechanism.
Scientist emeritus Dr N.M. Butt said that late Munir Khan was also greatly respected in the international nuclear community.
That was why even after his retirement from the Commission he was invited to international meetings on issues of nuclear diplomacy and kept visiting world capitals for this purpose.
Dr Butt, who retired several years ago as the head of premier nuclear research center, PINSTECH, is now scientist emeritus at the same institute.
Senator Farhatullah Babar said that Munir Ahmad Khan played several roles in life ranging from as Chairman of PAEC, to the informal spokesman of the third world for acquisition of nuclear technology, to the unofficial advisorship to the Government of Pakistan on science and technology and as the first president of the Ravians Islamabad which honorary office he held for nearly a quarter of a century till his death.