Ishfaq Ahmad

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Ishfaq Ahmad (Urdu: اشفاق احمد), D.Sc., Minister of State, SI, HI, NI, FPAS, (born 3 November 1930) is a Pakistani nuclear physicist, and well-known educationist and academic from Pakistan. A versatile theoretical physicist, Ahmad made significant contributions in nuclear, particle and quantum electrodynamics, Ahmad played an important role in establishing research institutes in Nuclear sciences in Pakistan. During 1970s, Ahmad was the head of the Nuclear Physics Division at the secret Pinstech Institute which developed the first designs of atomic bombs. There, he played an influential role in leading the physics calculations in the critical mass of the weapons, and did theoretical work on the implosion method used in the weapons.

Prior to 1960s, he also led the Reactor technology government projects in different countries, and served as lead project coordinator on behalf of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He is currently Science adviser to the Prime minister on Strategic and Scientific programs, with the status of Federal Minister. A scientist and physicist by profession, Ahmad was the chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) from 1991–2001 when he replaced his lifelong friend Munir Ahmad Khan as chairman in 1991

One of the top and leading scientist of Pakistan, Ahmad played an important, pioneering, and a central figurative role in both atomic bomb program and the Nuclear power program. Having headed the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), Ahmad rose to international fame in May 1998 when he headed PAEC as a chairman while conducted the country’s successful nuclear tests in Balochistan Province.

Awarded by


Nishan-i-Imitiaz
 (1998)
Hilal-i-Imtiaz (1995)
Sitara-i-Imtiaz (1989)

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