LAHORE: The participants in a condolence reference for nuclear scientist Dr Ishfaq Ahmed paid tribute to him for his services in making Pakistan a nuclear power.

The reference was held at the Government College University (GCU) under the auspices of Salam Chair and Institute of Physics on Friday.

Dr Ishfaq Ahmed was the chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) who is credited with making the nuclear bomb for Pakistan. He passed away at the age of 87 in Lahore.

Nuclear physicist Prof Dr N.M. Butt said Dr Ahmed was a versatile theoretical physicist who played a role as a scientist in making the nuclear weapons including theoretical work on the implosion method used in the weapons.

Reputed chemical technologist Dr M Zafarullah said Dr Ahmed had always supported and promoted his younger colleagues and played an important role in installing first nuclear power reactor in Pakistan.

GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah shared his personal interactions with Dr Ishfaq Ahmed. “As a person he was wonderful, easily accessible, ready to listen and ready to help. I am sure he will be missed for a long time by his friends, colleagues and fellow scientists,” he said.

Dr Samar Mubarikmand said Dr Ahmed had built a team of dedicated scientists at the PAEC who were not concerned about the facilities or monetary benefits. He said scientists had lived in mud houses in Chagai during preparations and execution of the nuclear tests. He said he was head of a diagnostic team and had conducted many successful cold tests before carrying out the test on May 28, 1998.

Dr Javed Aslam said Dr Ahmed was iconic in the field of science in Pakistan and the strongest part of his personality was that he had an amazing control over his anger which always helped him take right and rational decisions.

Dr G. Murtaza said the Government College had distinction of producing a number of students who later rose to excellence in their respective fields. They included Dr Ahmed who had played a pivotal role in the development of science and technology in Pakistan, he said.

“The early 1950s was a golden era of Physics and Mathematics at GC as Nobel Laureate Prof Salam and renowned physicist Prof Rafi Chaudhry were here. The others included Dr Ahmed, Dr Amir Mohd, Dr Riazuddin and Dr Fayyazuddin who played leading roles in developing a culture of science and technology,” he said.

NIBGE Director General Prof Dr Kauser Abdullah Malik said Dr Ahmed was interested in climate change and set up the Global Change Impact Studies Center after his retirement. He also set up an earthquake centre.

Material scientist Dr Khalil Qureshi also addressed the condolence reference and told the audience about the overall administrative and leadership abilities of Dr Ishfaq Ahmed.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2018