Hero or dangerous spy? The story behind the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb

November 09, 2021

Hero or Dangerous Spy? The Story Behind the Father of Pakistan's Nuclear Bomb | GZERO World

Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan recently died as a national hero in Pakistan for helping his country develop its nuclear bomb in 1998 to rival India's nukes. GZERO World takes a look at A.Q. Khan, whom former CIA boss George Tenet once said was as threatening as Osama bin Laden, stole nuclear secrets from a Dutch uranium enrichment company to build centrifuges for Pakistan's atomic weapon. But he didn't stop there: in 2004 A.Q. Kahn was placed under the Pakistani version of house arrest for sharing his nuclear recipes with Iran, Libya, and North Korea. He was finally pardoned five years later, and remains as beloved by his countrymen as he is regarded elsewhere as one of the most dangerous men in history.

Watch the episode: Nuclear weapons: more dangerous than ever?

What We’re Watching: Trump’s parade prompts protests, Kenya protests turn deadly, Mongolia picks new leader

A tank on display at a park in Washington, D.C., on June 12, 2025, two days ahead of a military parade commemorating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday.

Kyodo via Reuters Connect

The official reason for this weekend’s military parade in Washington DC is to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Army – but the occasion also just happens to fall on President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

Hero or dangerous spy? The story behind the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb

GZEROMEDIA

More from GZERO Media

President Trump has launched a revolution. Will it succeed?

Donald Trump calls himself a revolutionary. Ian Bremmer actually agrees with him, especially when it comes to executive power.

Israel strikes Iran: Could the US and Gulf States be pulled in?

Was it legal for Trump to deploy federal troops to Los Angeles?

President Trump's deployment of federal troops in Los Angeles was a constitutional stress test for the courts.

The world on edge: Israel bombs Iran

Israel bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities Thursday night, causing “significant damage” at the country’s main enrichment plant, killing leading Iranian military figures and nuclear scientists, and sparking fears that the Middle East is on the verge of a wider war.

You vs. the News: A Weekly News Quiz

Think you know what's going on around the world? Here's your chance to prove it.

GZEROMEDIA

What We’re Watching: Trump’s parade prompts protests, Kenya protests turn deadly, Mongolia picks new leader

The official reason for this weekend’s military parade in Washington DC is to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Army – but the occasion also just happens to fall on President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

Graphic Truth: G7 vs BRICS, who has more economic clout?

The BRICS are catching up with the G7 in terms of economic output.

HARD NUMBERS: Oil prices spike, China stops drinking, BTS eyes reunion, and more…

Graphic Truth: Which NATO members meet the mark?

NATO has long had an informal requirement that its members spend 2% of GDP on defense. However, despite decades of urging by successive US presidents, many member states have consistently fallen short of that target.

Hard Numbers: Newsom goes national, CDC reinstates DOGE’d employees, & More

Hero or dangerous spy? The story behind the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb

GZEROMEDIA

Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

More from GZERO Media

Donald Trump calls himself a revolutionary. Ian Bremmer actually agrees with him, especially when it comes to executive power.

President Trump's deployment of federal troops in Los Angeles was a constitutional stress test for the courts.

Israel bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities Thursday night, causing “significant damage” at the country’s main enrichment plant, killing leading Iranian military figures and nuclear scientists, and sparking fears that the Middle East is on the verge of a wider war.

Think you know what's going on around the world? Here's your chance to prove it.

GZEROMEDIA

Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

The official reason for this weekend’s military parade in Washington DC is to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Army – but the occasion also just happens to fall on President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

The BRICS are catching up with the G7 in terms of economic output.

NATO has long had an informal requirement that its members spend 2% of GDP on defense. However, despite decades of urging by successive US presidents, many member states have consistently fallen short of that target.