After receiving his early education in Bhopal, he left for Karachi where he obtained the Degree of Bachelor of Science in 1960 from the University of Karachi.
Subsequently he went to West Germany and studied in Berlin where he achieved high competence through attending several courses in metallurgical engineering.
He obtained the degree of Master of Science (Technology) in 1967 from Delft Technological University, Holland.
Dr. Khan received his Doctor of Engineering Degree from the University of Leuven, Belgium in 1972.
After completing his formal education Dr. Khan started his career as a Materials Expert.
He worked as an expert in several organizations in Europe, including the Uranium Enrichment Plant in Holland, which provided him state-of-the-art experience in nuclear technology.
In 1976, he joined the Engineering Research Laboratories (ERL) in Pakistan to set up an Uranium enrichment industrial plant.
As a tribute to his services rendered to the defense of Pakistan, the then President of Pakistan, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, renamed the Engineering Research Laboratories, Kahuta as Dr. A. Q. Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in 1981.
Over the years, the Laboratories became a focal point for a large number of scientists, engineers and technologists.
Dr. Khan guided them through the tasks that have led to unparalleled advances in missile and uranium enrichment technologies. This breakthrough eventually resulted in the historic explosions of six nuclear bombs on May 28 and May 30,1998 and the successful test firing of Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles namely "Ghauri", on April 6, 1998 and on April 14, 1999, respectively.
The research areas of Dr. Khan are Metallurgy, Materials Science and Nuclear Engineering. As an active scientist and technologist, he has published 190 research papers in reputable national and international journals and two patents in the U.K. are registered in his name. Dr. A. Q. Khan has authored a large number of books on Metallurgy.
Dr. Khan has received six honorary degrees of Doctor of Science, respectively from the University of Karachi (July 25, 1993), Baqai Medical University, Karachi (December 11, 1998), Hamdard University, Karachi (March 6, 1999), Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, N.W.F.P. (April 16,1999), University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore (December 9, 2000) and Sir Syed University, Karachi (March 25, 2001). For his important and eminent contributions in the field of science and technology, the President, Islamic Republic of Pakistan conferred upon Dr. Khan the award of Nishan-i-Imtiaz on 14 August, 1996 and 14 August, 1998. He is also a recipient of Hilal-i-Imtiaz. Dr. Khan is the only Pakistani to have received the highest civil award of "Nishan-i-Imtiaz" twice.
He has been awarded 63 gold medals and 3 gold crowns by various national institutions and organizations. He is a Fellow of Kazakh National Academy of Sciences, the first Asian scientist with this honour. He is also a Fellow of the Islamic Academy of Sciences. Being a Fellow of Pakistan Academy of Sciences, he was elected President of the Academy an impressive 3rd time in January 2001. He is also a member of a large number of national and international professional organizations, which include Pakistan Institute of Metallurgical Engineers; Pakistan Institute of Engineers; Institute of Central and West Asian Studies; the Institute of Materials, London; American Society of Metal (ASM); The Metallurgical Society of the American Institute of Metallurgical, Mining and Petroleum Engineers (TMS); Canadian Institute of Metals (CIM) and Japan Institute of Metals (JIM).
He is an ardent supporter of higher education. As the Project Director of GIK Institute of Science and Technology, he has invested his energies in developing the Institute into an exemplary high technology institution. He sits on the Boards of Governors and Syndicates of more than two dozen universities and institutes. He has contributed immensely to the establishment of educational institutes in Pakistan. These include several colleges, schools, institutions and academies. So wide are his community services that his contributions extend to the construction of mosques, tombs, dispensaries and community health centres to alleviate the plight of poor communities.
Hilal-i-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan on 14-8-1989 and decorated by the President of Pakistan Mr. Ghulam Ishaq Khan on 23-3-1990
Nishan-i-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan on 14-8-1996 and decorated by the President of Pakistan Mr. Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari on 25-3-1997
Nishan-i-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan on 14-8-1998 for the second time, thus making Dr. Khan the only Pakistani to have been decorated with the highest civil award twice. The Award was decorated by the President of Pakistan Mr. M. Rafiq Tarar on 23-3-1999.
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