Abdul Qadeer Khan, father of the atomic bomb in Pakistan and national hero for his admirers, died Sunday at the age of 85, after having tested positive for Covid-19 and hospitalized several times since August.
The Pakistani scientist, admired for making the country the first Islamic nuclear power but accused of illegally distributing technology to Iran, North Korea and Libya, has died after being transferred to KRL hospital in Islamabad for lung problems, according to state television PTV.
Dr Khan had already been hospitalized in this establishment in August after testing positive for Covid, then sent home, before his condition deteriorated on Sunday morning, the channel said.
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Dr Khan had earned his status as a national hero in May 1998 when the Islamic Republic of Pakistan officially became an atomic military power, thanks to tests carried out a few days after those of India, the eternal rival.
His death generated a wave of sadness across the country.
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr AQ Khan," Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Twitter, noting how much the nuclear scientist was admired in Pakistan for "his crucial contribution to making us a state endowed with the nuclear weapon ".
“For the Pakistani people, he was a national icon,” he added.
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