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| url = http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/june/chagai.htm
| url = http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/june/chagai.htm
| doi =
| doi =
| accessdate =2008}}</ref>.Under the leadership of Mr. Hafeez Qureshi, the "Wah Group" successfully completed the most complex mechanical task in the shortest possible time. As of late 1974, Mr. Hafeez Qureshi, among in his peers, gained a significant influence among his peer and widely with respect. His team members considered him as their scientific mentor. On March 25, 1974, Qureshi, dr. Abdus Salam, dr. [[Riazuddin (physicisit)|Riazuddin]], and Munir Ahmad Khan, visited [[Pakistan Ordnance Factories]] (POF) where the team of scientists, led by dr. Abdus Salam, had discussion with POF Chaiman [[Lieutenant-General|LTG]] Qamar Ali Mirza. After the meeting, Qureshi, with another weapon scientist, dr. Zaman Sheikh had developed the complex mechanical components and techniques for the nuclear device. Throught the 1970s, the Wah Group had developed the complex optical lenses for the device. By the March, 1983, Pakistan conducted its first cold-test of nuclear weapon's design, which was mastermind by him, under the leadership of dr. [[Ishfaq Ahmad]] and Mr. [[Munir Ahmad Khan]].
| accessdate =2008}}</ref>.Under the leadership of Mr. Hafeez Qureshi, the "Wah Group" successfully completed the most complex mechanical task in the shortest possible time. As of late 1974, Mr. Hafeez Qureshi, among in his peers, gained a significant influence among his peer and widely with respect. His team members considered him as their scientific mentor. On March 25, 1974, Qureshi, dr. Abdus Salam, dr. [[Riazuddin (physicist)|Riazuddin]], and Munir Ahmad Khan, visited [[Pakistan Ordnance Factories]] (POF) where the team of scientists, led by dr. Abdus Salam, had discussion with POF Chaiman [[Lieutenant-General|LTG]] Qamar Ali Mirza. After the meeting, Qureshi, with another weapon scientist, dr. Zaman Sheikh had developed the complex mechanical components and techniques for the nuclear device. Throught the 1970s, the Wah Group had developed the complex optical lenses for the device<ref>{{Cite book
| last =Rehman
| first =Shahid-Ur
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title =The Group at Wah
| publisher =Print Wise Publication

| date =1999
⚫
By 1990, under the leadership of [[Munir Ahmad Khan]], dr. [[Ishfaq Ahmad]] and Hafeez Qureshi, Directorate of Technical Development (DTD) carried out 24 cold tests of different [[nuclear weapon]] designs which were indigenously designed and developed by DTD headed by Hafeez Qureshi.
| location =Islamabad, Pakistan

| pages =41-85
It was Qureshi's indigenously designed and developed [[nuclear device|plutonium-based nuclear device]] when Pakistan, under the leadership of dr. [[Samar Mubarakmand]], tested on May 30, 1998 at the [[Kharan desert]].
| url =
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = }}
⚫
</ref>. By the March, 1983, Pakistan conducted its first cold-test of nuclear weapon's design, which was mastermind by him, under the leadership of dr. [[Ishfaq Ahmad]] and Mr. [[Munir Ahmad Khan]]. By 1990, under the leadership of [[Munir Ahmad Khan]], dr. [[Ishfaq Ahmad]] and Hafeez Qureshi, Directorate of Technical Development (DTD) carried out 24 cold tests of different [[nuclear weapon]] designs which were indigenously designed and developed by DTD headed by Hafeez Qureshi. It was Qureshi's indigenously designed and developed [[nuclear device|plutonium-based nuclear device]] when Pakistan, under the leadership of dr. [[Samar Mubarakmand]], tested on May 30, 1998 at the [[Kharan desert]].


===Development of Nuclear-Capable Missiles===
===Development of Nuclear-Capable Missiles===

Revision as of 19:04, 9 September 2010

Muhammad Hafeez Qureshi
BornApril 19, 1938
Karachi, Sindh, British India
DiedError: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day
Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory
NationalityPakistani
CitizenshipPakistan
Alma materMichigan State University, United States
Known forPakistan's nuclear detterence program
AwardsSitara-e-Imtiaz (1989)
Hilal-i-Imtiaz (1998)
Scientific career
FieldsMechanical Engineering
InstitutionsPakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)
Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH)
Karachi Mechanical Laboratories (KML)
Academic advisorsDr. Michael David Burton
Dr. Naeem Ahmad Khan

Muhammad Hafeez Qureshi (Urdu: محمد حفيظ قريشي), SI, HI, also known as Hafeez Qureshi, was a Pakistani nuclear scientist and mechanical engineer. Qureshi is most known as the Director-General of the Directorate for Technical Development (DTD), a secretive institution that was mandate to design and develop nuclear weapon, and had also known for his particitpation, as D.G. of DTD in Chagai nuclear testing in 1998. Qureshi was an expert in nuclear war head technology and long-range thermonuclear missiles and under dr. Naeem Ahmad Khan, Qureshi gained expertise in the fields of missile technology, aerodynamics, quantum mechanics, and nuclear weapon technology. As profession, Qureshi was a mechanical engineer but he made significant contribution in nuclear physics and applied mechanics.

Qureshi had worked closely with known and prominent a Pakistani nuclear engineer Munir Ahmad Khan in weapon development project. At PAEC, Muhammad H. Qureshi, along with Munir Ahmad Khan and dr. Samar Mubarakmand, developed a thermonuclear capability for Pakistan's nuclear-missile Program. He had closely worked with another Pakistani nuclear engineer Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood in thermonuclear missile program.

Life and Education

Muhammad Hafeez Qureshi was born in Karachi, Pakistan to an Urdu speaking family. Hafeez Qureshi attended Karachi University, majoring in mechanical engineering, he partly supported his studies by working as a motor mechanic [1]. In Romny, his schoolmate and friend was future famous Optical physicist dr. Muhammad Jameel, an optical physicist who was also present at that time when Pakistan tested its nuclear devices in Ras Koh Hills. However, Hafeez Qureshi, along with his majority of family members, migrated to United States of America. Hafeez Qureshi attended Michigan State University where he studied double majors and received his double B.Sc. in mechanical engineering and engineering mechanics from there. Later, he received his M.Eng. in mechanical engineering from the same alma mater [2]. After his master's degree, Hafeez Qureshi came back to Pakistan where he joined Karachi Mechanical Laboratories (KML) and was put incharge of Mechanical Engineering Department (MED)[3]. Shortly, he left KML and joined PAEC (Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission) where he also specialized in nuclear physics under the supervision of dr. Naeem Ahmad Khan, and become a distinguished professor of mechanical engineering.

Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission

Hafeez Qureshi joined the Karachi Mechanical laboratories of the fledgling Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, which remained his lifelong career and passion. When the PAEC Lahore Center of the was established in 1962, he was given the charge to install the first experimental facility for nuclear physics research nuclear accelerator, a Neutron generator. He was long-trusted friend and colleague of dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, who as the director of Pakistan Atomic Energy Center, Lahore, played a influential role in the development of nuclear weapons.

Pakistan Insitute of Nuclear Science and Technology

In 1965, dr. Abdus Salam, along with dr. Ishrat Hussain Usmani, founded the nuclear research institute, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH); Qureshi was one of the scientists who led the establishment of the country’s first research reactor, Pakistan Atomic Research Reactor. Muhammad Hafeez Qureshi joined PAEC's PINSTECH in 1965[3]. At PINSTECH, Qureshi taught mechanical engineering as an Associate Professor. At PAEC, he developed mechanical devices and components for nuclear power plants. He had closely worked with another Pakistani nuclear engineer, Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood in development of nuclear weapons and missile program. He was a distinguished member of Nuclear Physics Group (NPG) at PINSTECH, where he along with dr. Samar Mubarakmand, Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood and dr. Naeem Ahmad Khan, studied and researched in the field on Nuclear Technology. Under the supervision of noted nuclear physicist, dr. Naeem Ahmad Khan, Qureshi specialized in nuclear physics and nuclear weapon technology. Dr. Naeem Ahmad Khan is also credited to taught and trained Qureshi in the field of plutonium technlogy and Uranium enrichment technology.

Nuclear Physics Group

At PINSTECH, he was one the pioneering student of dr. Naeem Ahmad Khan where he and his mentor published papers in the field of nuclear physics and mechanical engineering. He, along with dr. Samar Mubarakmand, studied together in the field of nuclear technology under the supervision of dr. Naeem Ahmad Khan. In 1967, dr. Naeem Ahmad Khan founded the "Nuclear Physics Group (NPG)". He was a distinguished member of Nuclear Physics Group (NPG) at PINSTECH, where he along with dr. Samar Mubarakmand, Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood and dr. Naeem Ahmad Khan, studied and researched in the field on Nuclear Technology[4]. He was known to be adept in the art of solving complex mechanical problems. This group however, could not continue for long at that time as the members of the group got dispersed[3]. At PINSTECH, he led the establishment of the country’s first research reactor in 1965, Pakistan Atomic Research Reactor (PARR-Reactor).

Head of Radiation and Isotope Applications Division

In early of 1971, dr. Naeem Ahmad Khan founded the new education department at PINSTECH, Radiation and Isotope Applications Division (RIAD), where he served there as its first director. In 1972, Hafeez Qureshi was put incharge of the Radiation and Isotope Applications Division (RIAD) at the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH) where he was trained by dr. Naeem Ahmad Khan in the field of Isotope and Radiation technology[5].

Development of Nuclear Weapons

In March 1974, Hafeez Qureshi, who at the time was heading the Radiation and Isotope Applications Division (RIAD) at the Pakistan Institute of Science & Technology (PINSTECH), attended a meeting with PAEC chairman Munir Ahmad Khan, Ishfaq Ahmad, Riazuddin and Abdus Salam[5]. The meeting was headed by dr. Abdus Salam and it was here that a work on an Atomic bomb initiated. Qureshi, who was the founder of the "Wah Group", was put incharge of "The Wah Group" with the initial support of PAEC Chairman Munir Ahmad Khan[6].

In the meeting, the word "bomb" was never used but the Wah Group scientist, Hafeez Qureshi, knew exactly what he was being asked to do. Their task would be to build the mechanics of the nuclear device[5].

The Wah Group Scientist

The "Wah Group" was given task of development of the missile program, and the technologies that are required in the nuclear missiles. The "Wah Group" tasks also included development of various high precision mechanical and chemical components, physics calculation, high explosives and triggering mechanisms for nuclear weapons[7].Under the leadership of Mr. Hafeez Qureshi, the "Wah Group" successfully completed the most complex mechanical task in the shortest possible time. As of late 1974, Mr. Hafeez Qureshi, among in his peers, gained a significant influence among his peer and widely with respect. His team members considered him as their scientific mentor. On March 25, 1974, Qureshi, dr. Abdus Salam, dr. Riazuddin, and Munir Ahmad Khan, visited Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) where the team of scientists, led by dr. Abdus Salam, had discussion with POF Chaiman LTG Qamar Ali Mirza. After the meeting, Qureshi, with another weapon scientist, dr. Zaman Sheikh had developed the complex mechanical components and techniques for the nuclear device. Throught the 1970s, the Wah Group had developed the complex optical lenses for the device[8]. By the March, 1983, Pakistan conducted its first cold-test of nuclear weapon's design, which was mastermind by him, under the leadership of dr. Ishfaq Ahmad and Mr. Munir Ahmad Khan. By 1990, under the leadership of Munir Ahmad Khan, dr. Ishfaq Ahmad and Hafeez Qureshi, Directorate of Technical Development (DTD) carried out 24 cold tests of different nuclear weapon designs which were indigenously designed and developed by DTD headed by Hafeez Qureshi. It was Qureshi's indigenously designed and developed plutonium-based nuclear device when Pakistan, under the leadership of dr. Samar Mubarakmand, tested on May 30, 1998 at the Kharan desert.

Development of Nuclear-Capable Missiles

Qureshi also designed rocket-propellants system for missiles. Qureshi designed both solid-fuel rocket system and liquid-fuel rocket system. Qureshi also upgraded Pakistan's space satellite launch center, notably Sonmiani Satellite Launch Center by installing new computer programming as well as sophisticated aerospace engineering labs.

Directorate of Technical Development (DTD)

By the 1990s, Qureshi was made the principle scientist at the Directorate of Technical Development (DTD) where he along with Ishfaq Ahmad and Samar Mubarakmand carried out the cold tests of a different nuclear weapon design. At DTD, he was responsible for solid ground work of designing and production rocket-delivery vehicles as well as designing for Medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM). Qureshi was the chief designer of Intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM) and ran the nuclear missiles development-operation by himself.

In 1990, the Government of Pakistan ordered PAEC to developed compact nuclear weapons for Pakistan Air Force. It was Qureshi's effort to developed the small and compact nuclear weapons for the Pakistan's F-16 Fighter Aircraft whereas upgraded the nuclear weapon delivery system for Pakistan's F-16 Fighting Falcon. He upgraded Pakistan's Dassault Mirage III's mechanical and aeronautical applications.

Career as a Weapon Scientist

Qureshi was a noted weapon scientist. He was one of the pioneering instrument to sat up the Heavy and Mechanical industries in Pakistan to produced high-tech weapons and close-range missiles. While at PAEC, Qureshi was transferred at Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) as a chief weapon scientist at the Mechanical Complex. He successfully reverse engineered the AK-47 and American-M16 machine guns. At HIT, Hafeez Qureshi had closely work with a renowed military scientist and engineer Lieutenant General Talat Masood, who at that time was an Engineer-in-Chief of Army Engineering Corps, heading the military projects at HIT. At HIT, Qureshi had developed close and cordial relationships with the Lt-Ge.n Talat Masood. He also assisted HIT's scientists in the designing of Sakb armoured command post vehicle.

Legacy

Muhammad Hafeez Qureshi was one of the prominent weapon scientist in the Pakistan. Hafeez Qureshi retired from PAEC in 2005 as a chief weapon scientist. After his retirement from PAEC, Mr. Hafeez Qureshi continued to serve the country and remained associated with Pakistan's strategic programmes till his death [3]. In recognition of his contribution to Pakistan's nuclear programme, he was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz by then-Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto. In 1998, he was awarded the high civilian award Hilal-e-Imtiaz in (1998) by then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif.

It was Muhammad Hafeez Qureshi's led Directorate of Technical Development in PAEC that designed and built the nuclear weapon devices that were tested by PAEC in 1998. However, like Munir Ahmad Khan, his services were not recognized in the manner he deserved.

In August 11, 2007, he suffered a severe heart attack. He was buried in Islamabad. Many scientists and engineers who worked under him, called him a "Patriotic and Honest Scientist". Like Mr. Munir Ahmad Khan, Muhammad Hafeez Qureshi always kept a much lower profile than Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan.That is why he is also known as one of the "Unsung Heroes of Nuclear Pakistan".

References

  1. ^ Jameel, Dr. Muhammad (August 24, 2007). "An Unsung Hero Passes away". http://www.pakistanlink.org. Retrieved 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Mehmood, Sultan Bashiruddin, (August 15, 2007). "Obituary: Hafeez Qureshi, a great scientist passes away". The Post (Pakistani newspaper). {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |coauthors= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help); Text "url http://www.thepost.com.pk/" ignored (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b c d http://www.pakdef.info/forum/showthread.php?t=9214&goto=nextnewest
  4. ^ Shahid-Ur-, Rehman (1999). "The Wah Group Scientist". Long Road To Chagai. Islamabad, Pakistan: Print Wise Publication. pp. 1–5. {{cite conference}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |booktitle= ignored (|book-title= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b c http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/june/chagai.htm
  6. ^ Shahid-Ur-, Rehman (1999). "The RIAD Scientist". Long Road To Chagai. Islamabad, Pakistan: Print Wise Publication. pp. 89–95. {{cite conference}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |booktitle= ignored (|book-title= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Azam, Rai Muhammad Saleh, (June, 2000). "When Mountains Move – The Story of Chagai". http://www.defencejournal.com/. Retrieved 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Rehman, Shahid-Ur (1999). The Group at Wah. Islamabad, Pakistan: Print Wise Publication. pp. 41–85. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

External links

See also

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