Pride of Pakistan Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad Pages: 8 Vol: IX Issue No: 06 February 05 — 11, 2018 www.TechnologyTimes.Pk 3 November 1930 — 18 January 2018 A personal tribute to Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, N.I., H.I., S.I. Dr. I. E. Qureshi ith passing away of Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad on 18th Jan. 2018, Pakistan lost an iconic scientific leader, who had been associated, directly or indirectly, with every significant development on Pakistan’s scientific scene for well over half a century. In particular, his name was synon- ymous with Pakistan Atomic Energy Commis- Wsion (PAEC), where he served for more than four decades in various positions. Significantly, he started his service in PAEC in 1960 as a ‘Group Leader’ and subsequently occupied various posts of the rank of directorship or higher. So, it can be safely stated that he played a leadership role throughout his career in PAEC, although he was entrusted with the top-most slot of Chairmanship when he had already crossed 60. His dynamism as Chairman PAEC during a ten years’ tenure speaks volumes about his enormous energy and drive. In spite of an absolute lack of inclination for self-projection, his impact on the scientific community of Pakistan has always been conspicuous. Some of the stalwarts of science and technology in Pakistan owe their successful careers to his direct patronage or in- direct support. I first saw him when he interviewed me as an applicant for the post of Senior Scientific Officer in PAEC in 1980, resulting in my appointment in PINSTECH1). With his second highest-most status in PAEC and my considerably junior position I could pay my respects to him only from a distance whenever there were occasions to see him in PAEC functions. Many years later, he got to know me per- sonally, perhaps because of some good words that he heard about my work in Theoretical Physics Group at PINSTECH. As my career progressed and I occupied senior positions in PINSTECH, there were more and more occasions at which I could interact with him person- ally and observe multifarious aspects of his charismatic personality. He too, perhaps became more appreciative of my research work, leading to a mutually respectful bond of mentor and protégé. He encouraged me to play a role in CERN2)-PAEC collaboration pro- grammes, nudged me towards doing computer programming related to a classified project, backed me along with Dr. Aslam Baig3) to get NCP4) going during its nascent phase, confided me with his desire to enhance the presence of Pakistanis at ICTP5) which gave me the confidence to get elected as President ICTP-Pakistan Chapter, wel- comed me as a member of International Nathiagali Summer College organizing committee, endorsed my participation in a delegation to China for discussing broader research collaboration, and finally, even long after his retirement from PAEC, played a crucial role in my A versatile theoretical physicist, appointment as Executive Director COMSATS6). Apart from his tangible patronage, I found out that sometimes his a patriot Pakistani who worked for mere words of encouragement were sufficient for someone to get energized. His mildly uttered suggestions starting with, “why don’t the motherland with complete you.....” have made many to spring into action and achieve some- devotion and determination! thing substantial. I too had the occasions of being subjected to these Continued on page 2 February 05 — 11, 2018 Pride of Pakistan: Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad 02 – TechnologyTimes.Pk From page 1: A personal tribute to Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, N.I., H.I., S.I. iors but I guess he must have In general, Pakistanis lack the been very respectful to Mr. Mu- psyche of glorifying individuals nir Ahmad Khan12). Speaking at who make exceptional intellectu- the farewell function of Mr. Khan, al and scientific contributions. Dr. organized in PINSTECH auditori- Ishfaq Ahmad has to his credit an um, he paid rich tributes to the unmatched array of outstanding departing Chairman and added achievements in his different that he would always be “our roles as Chairman PAEC, Advisor Chairman”. However, what he to the Chief Executive, Advisor to expressed most openly was his the Prime Minister, Senior Advi- admiration and regard for Prof. sor to the Planning Commission Abdus Salam. He also shared of Pakistan, President of the Pa- with me a couple of incidents in kistani Academy of Sciences, which Salam admonished him and he is the recipient of nu- for some reasons, but he re- merous honours and awards in- called these occasions with full cluding the highest civil award of understanding and respect for Pakistan, Nishan-i-Imtiaz, but his Salam’s feelings. He took strong unassuming nature and shyness exception to the much touted of media exposure had prevented narrative that Salam is denigrat- him to be idolized as a scientific ed in Pakistan because of his hero. May be, now that he is no faith. In a lounge conversation, more, his contributions to Paki- Dr. Ishfaq noted that the actions stan would be adequately high- of a few fanatics or the opinions lighted; thereby, projecting him of a relatively small group of peo- as a role-model par excellence, ple cannot be construed to define for younger generations. the attitude of the entire nation. Footnotes: Pakistan has conferred its high- est civil award on Salam, issued 1) Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad played a pivotal role in the creation commemorative stamp with his Science and Technology at portrait, awarded honorus causa Nilore near Islamabad, is the of NCP on the pattern of The Abdus Salam International degrees, his birthday is celebrat- R&D flagship facility of PAEC. ed every year, and there is hardly 2) European Organization for any scientific activity in Pakistan Nuclear Research, with its Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). He served as the which is not accompanied by French acronym CERN is lo- eulogizing his colossal status cated at the Franco-Swiss Chairman of Board of Governors (BoG) of NCP from 2003 in the world of science. With border near Geneva, Switzer- an air of satisfaction, he added land. that Prof. Salam had four major 3) Dr. Baig has been the Chair- to 2018. His vision of science and wisdom to deal with wishes with respect to scientific man, Physics Department in progress in Pakistan, and all four Quaid-i-Azam University. the science projects were the guiding principles for NCP have been materialized. First, he 4) National Centre for Physics, wanted that renowned scientists Quaid-i-Azam University from across the world should campus, Islamabad. management be invited in an annual summer college. That came to be in the 5) The ‘International Centre for form of International Nathiaga- Theoretical Physics’ founded li Summer College, which has by Pakistani Nobel laureate, been held with great regulatory, Prof. Abdus Salam. Now it alluring words, as in the case of glimpse of his far-sightedness with was not the barbequed fish with ever new themes, since has been named after him as organizing a seminar to celebrate imagine that at age 40, as Direc- in his plate, but the opportunities 1976. Second, he wanted a per- ‘AS-ICTP’. the then newly adopted ‘World tor Pakistan Atomic Energy Min- of research in the nearby Elletra manent ICTP-like institution in 6) COMSATS is the acronym of Science Day’ for the first time in eral Centre in Lahore, he initiated Synchrotron9) that had opened Pakistan that could provide the ‘Commission on Science and Pakistan – a day which was in- work on uranium processing that its doors for experimental re- physicists of Pakistan a base for Technology for Sustainable cluded in the calendar of United would form the basis of fuel fab- search work through the good of- training and research at the cut- development in the South’. It Nations activities at his behest. rication and uranium enrichment. fices of ICTP. He asked the host ting edge of science and emerg- is an international organiza- During my visit to CERN at a He strongly believed in acquir- of the dinner, Dr. Faheem Hus- ing technologies. This advice tion with 24 developing coun- time when major financial con- ing all aspects of nuclear tech- sain10), to arrange my visit to was realized in the form of Na- tries as its Member States. tribution by PAEC to CERN was nology, both civil and military, the facility so that I could dis- tional Centre for Physics located being deliberated, he advised me and worked tirelessly to achieve seminate relevant information 7) The ‘International Institute for in the vicinity of Quaid-i-Azam to consult Dr. Muhammad Afzal, these goals. With remarkable to researchers at PINSTECH. Applied Systems Analysis’ University in Islamabad. Third, Minister (Technical), at the Per- ability to create synergy among He was ever ready to meet (IIASA) is a non-governmen- he wished that a prize be given manent Mission of Pakistan to teams of workers engaged in di- Pakistani ICTP Associates11) tal research organizations annually to outstanding physi- the United Nations in Geneva. verse projects, he provided crit- when he happened to be in Tri- based in Austria. cists out of the proceeds of his Some years later I myself occu- ically important leadership for este, and to hear about their re- 8) The Italian City of Trieste in Nobel Prize money. Thus ‘Salam pied Dr. Afzal’s post and played completing required tasks with search work with keen interest. northern Italy is the home of Prize’ for physics and mathe- my role in advancing CERN-Pa- minimal resources. Pakistan was The easy-going blend of his AS-ICTP. matics was instituted and is giv- kistan collaboration.