ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is observing Youm-e-Takbeer today in remembrance of nuclear tests conducted on May 28, 1998, as the day made Pakistan the seventh nuclear nation but an unpopular move to exclude “Father of Pakistan’s Nuclear Programme” Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan got everyone’s attention.
Dr Qadeer was hailed for transforming Asian nation into the world’s first Islamic nuclear weapons power. The genius nuclear scientist, who passed away during Covid pandemic, was seen as a national hero for bringing the country up to par with India in the atomic field and making its defence unassailable.
As the nation observes public holiday and government commemorates the day with special ads in mainstream media. The shocking absence of the nuclear icon in the advertisements raised eyebrows.
The ads sponsored by the PML-N-led government featured party supremo Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Dr A.Q Khan’s picture was nowhere to be found in advertisements and politicians, rights activists and political commentators expressed concerns.
Ex-Interior minister Sheikh Rasheed lamented that Dr. Khan did not receive the recognition he deserved.
Social Media Reactions
