'A. Q. Khan sacrificed everything to make Pakistan peaceful nuclear state'.

KARACHI -- Former vice chancellors of Karachi University (KU), scientists and teachers paid rich tributes to late Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan at an event held in his memory on the campus, describing him as a great nuclear scientist and a national hero.

They were speaking at a special governing council meeting of the Dr A. Q. Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE) held in memory of the late scientist at its Jinnah Auditorium.

'Despite serious limitations, Dr Khan never gave up. It's was only due to relentless efforts that Pakistan became the first Muslim nuclear state,' noted former KU vice chancellor Prof Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui.

One of his targets was to establish a knowledge-based society in Pakistan for which he dedicated his whole life and helped establish several institutions, he added.

KU pays rich tribute to the late scientist

Dr Muhammad Qaiser, another former KU VC, shared that Dr Khan had a multi-faceted personality. 'His love for the country was unmatchable and he wanted the development of Pakistan in all walks of life. The education and health sectors were his topmost priorities as he was well aware of the importance of these areas.'

Speaking through a video link, Dr Dina Khan, the daughter of Dr A. Q. Khan, said her father remained attached to KIBGE till his death and used to visit the institution to speak to students, researchers, faculty and trainers of various programme on a regular basis despite his poor health.

'He was...