While responding to criticism by the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear programme Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, nuclear scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand has said that his former colleague was angry with him due to Chagai nuclear explosions in 1998. In a recent interview, Dr AQ Khan commented on the “ineligibility” of Dr Mubarakmand in operating Thar Coal Project, saying the scientist was only “befooling the nation”. “I respect Dr Khan but he should tell how have I committed intellectual dishonesty about Thar Coal Project,” Dr Mubarakmand responded. Hitting back, he said “whatever role Dr Abdul Qadir had played in nuclear proliferation was devastating for Pakistan”.
“The outcome is obvious to all of us as Pakistan is still paying the price, while on the other hand United States is making deals on peaceful nuclear technology with India.” About a query of flaming gas from the coal reservoir in Thar, he said that funds were required to install power plants to produce electricity from coal gas. “We have proved that gas can be produced from coal, but now we need a plant to generate power as we are left with no funds to do so,” he added. “Over six channels have made documentaries on flaming gas from coal wells, and tens of thousands of people would have seen them. Those who are opposing this project are actually not harming me, but damaging Pakistan,” Dr Mubarakmand said. “Had the Thar coal project been started a couple of years ago, then Pakistan today would have been self sufficient to export oil to generate power.”