Dr AQ Khan’s Widow Details Struggles Behind Pakistan’s Nuclear Story

News Desk

Karachi: Four years after the death of Pakistan’s nuclear pioneer Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, his widow Hendrina Khan has opened up about the ongoing personal toll and feelings of betrayal linked to the country’s nuclear programme, according to media reports.

Hendrina disclosed that Dr Khan agreed to act as the “scapegoat” in the state’s nuclear proliferation scandal based on verbal assurances from then-President Pervez Musharraf, who promised him a full pardon and limited house arrest. However, she said Musharraf soon reneged on those commitments, causing deep hurt to her late husband.

In an interview uploaded to her granddaughter’s YouTube channel, Hendrina stated, “He accepted the role of scapegoat. But within days, the terms changed. That betrayal hurt him deeply.” She further recounted the difficult period following the scandal, marked by isolation and emotional distress, not only for Dr Khan but also for his entire team, who faced public humiliation.

The conversation about Dr Khan’s legacy resurfaced during the recent Youm-e-Takbeer celebrations on May 28, which commemorate Pakistan’s nuclear tests.

However, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah stirred controversy by suggesting that while Dr Khan is respected for his scientific role, he should not be viewed as a national hero.

Sanaullah credited former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with the critical decision to conduct the nuclear tests in 1998 and acknowledged the role of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for initiating the programme, but emphasized Sharif’s leadership as the defining moment.

Dr. Khan remains a complex figure in Pakistan’s history — revered domestically as a symbol of national pride, yet scrutinized internationally. His 2004 televised confession accepting responsibility for nuclear proliferation was made under significant pressure from the United States and global watchdogs.

Hendrina insists that her husband’s statement was made under duress, reinforced by Musharraf’s broken promises of protection and rehabilitation shortly after.

Reflecting on their personal sacrifices, Hendrina described the hardships faced by the family after moving from Europe to Pakistan in the mid-1970s, living under tough conditions with limited support.

Despite these challenges, she praised Dr. Khan’s steadfast patriotism and commitment, recalling his belief that he would only return to Pakistan if he could contribute meaningfully — a conviction that sustained him even during his house arrest.

Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan passed away in October 2021, and while the state conducted an official funeral, Hendrina feels his contributions have been overshadowed by political controversies. “His legacy has been obscured by politics, but history will remember the difference he made,” she concluded.