Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah Khan, stated on Saturday that Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, often referred to as Mohsin-e-Pakistan, should not be considered a ‘hero’.
In a recent interview, Rana Sanaullah acknowledged Dr Khan’s significant role as a scientist but emphasized that the title of a national hero or leader does not apply to him. He argued that Dr Khan is respected for his scientific achievements, but the credit for Pakistan’s status as a nuclear power belongs to political leadership, particularly Nawaz Sharif.
When asked whether Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan has been neglected at the official level, Sanaullah responded that the late scientist received appropriate recognition for his contributions. However, he insisted that the key figure in making Pakistan a declared nuclear power was former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
He explained that while many nations have developed nuclear weapons through the efforts of scientists, the crucial decision lies in actually testing those weapons and officially declaring nuclear capability. According to him, Pakistan had already developed nuclear weapons years before the tests, but the decision taken on May 28, 1998, was the pivotal moment.
Sanaullah acknowledged the foundational role of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in launching Pakistan’s nuclear program. Still, he stressed that Nawaz Sharif’s leadership in conducting the nuclear tests marked the country’s emergence as a nuclear state.
Addressing critics who argue that Nawaz Sharif hesitated to approve the tests, Rana Sanaullah dismissed such claims as baseless and driven by political animosity. He argued that these critics fail to appreciate the boldness required to take such a historic decision under immense international pressure.
In conclusion, he reiterated that while Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan’s scientific work is worthy of respect, the true hero of Pakistan’s nuclear achievement remains Nawaz Sharif, for his decisive leadership and courage at a critical time.
