State funeral for Dr. Qadeer Khan, nuclear scientist laid to rest in Islamabad
News Desk :
Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, the nuclear scientist who lead Pakistan’s atomic programme, died on Saturday morning. His soul departed at the age of 85 years suffering from a lung infection.
He was given a state funeral at Faisal Mosque before being laid to rest at the H-8 graveyard. A large number of people, including cabinet members, parliamentarians and military officers, attended the funeral prayers.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed earlier said that under the directions issued by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Dr Khan was given a state funeral. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, he said that the premier had directed cabinet ministers to attend the funeral. The interior minister said that the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the services chiefs would also be in attendance.
Rashid said two graves were prepared; one at Faisal Mosque and another at the H-8 graveyard. He later said his family decided that as per his will he would be buried at the H-8 graveyard.
“The whole nation is grieving,” the minister said, adding that the flag would be flown at half-mast. He said that he had also directed law enforcement agencies and the Islamabad commissioner to make security arrangements.
‘A huge loss for Pakistan’
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza and all services chiefs expressed sorrow over Dr Khan’s passing.
The ISPR statement also quoted Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa as saying that he had rendered invaluable services to strengthen Pakistan’s defence capabilities.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said that the nation had lost “a true benefactor who served the motherland with heart and soul.”
Defence Minister Pervez Khattak said he was “deeply grieved” over his passing and called it a “great loss”. Apart from this all the Chief Ministers, civil society, and intelligentsia has also
