Rana Sanaullah Refuses to Call Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan a ‘Hero’

Lahore: Federal Minister and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s political advisor, Rana Sanaullah, has stirred controversy by refusing to label renowned nuclear scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan as a national hero.
In an interview with a private news channel, Rana Sanaullah stated that Dr. A.Q. Khan cannot be considered a hero, asserting that a true hero is one who actually conducted the nuclear tests that made Pakistan a nuclear power. He credited the initiation of Pakistan’s nuclear program to former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
While acknowledging Dr. Khan’s scientific contributions, Rana Sanaullah emphasized that Khan was not a leader and that the credit for the nuclear tests should go to the then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He criticized those who, in his words, out of “jealousy and spite,” claim Nawaz Sharif was reluctant to go ahead with the tests. “It was Nawaz Sharif, the Prime Minister at the time, who made the decision and carried out the tests,” he asserted.
On political matters, Rana Sanaullah reiterated the establishment’s stance on political dialogue, stating that Field Marshal General Asim Munir supports political negotiations between parties and would welcome such initiatives.
He advised PTI Chairman Imran Khan to reach out to political leaders like Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari for dialogue instead of trying to engage the establishment. “Imran Khan blames us for everything but also claims we have no power—he must talk to the government, as the authority lies with them,” Rana added.
He further criticized Imran Khan’s political approach, stating, “His philosophy is to return to power through the establishment and then resume threats and vendettas. This mindset has now distanced him from any chance of success.”
Rana Sanaullah concluded by emphasizing that Imran Khan’s current political trajectory is leading him further away from meaningful political achievements.