Let us explore the controversial life of Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood, a Pakistani nuclear engineer and scholar, who played a significant role in Pakistan’s nuclear bomb project and also faced criminal investigations.
The father of DG ISPR, Bashiruddin Mahmood, was a nuclear scientist and should be respected for his contributions. However, he was investigated for his connections to Al-Qaeda. Mahmood formed a political organization called “Ummat-e-Tamir-e-Nau,” which the US labeled as a terrorist organization. He was also a close associate of Dr. Israr Ahmed and worked extensively for religion, leading to his labeling as a terrorist and facilitator.
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Pakistan’s first nuclear scientist and director of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, developed the first heavy water testing and was awarded a prize of 100,000 rupees by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for his contributions. Among other heroes, I recall the name of Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood, who contributed to Pakistan’s nuclear program. For a reminder, Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood was the one who brought Dr. AQ Khan back to Pakistan from Holland. In addition, he is the first DG ISPR from the E&ME corps. When PAEC was assigned by Bhutto at Circuit House Multan in 1973 to begin working on the Atomic Bomb, Sultan Bashiruddin Mehmood stepped forward and expressed his readiness by saying “Yes Sir, we are capable of doing it.”
Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood is a nuclear engineer from Pakistan who also has expertise in Islamic studies. The Federal Investigation Agency started a criminal inquiry into his unapproved trip to Afghanistan before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Regarding his name appearing with Al-Qaeda’s list of names, those who actually had connections with it, handed over a foreigner to the United States for 25 million dollars each. The whole story is written on page 243 of General Musharraf’s book.
According to the paper published in 1987, Hoodbhoy stated that Bashiruddin Mahmood, senior director of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, suggested in 1980 that jinns, known for their fiery nature, could be utilized as a source of free energy. His experimentation comprised of unusual science on generating electricity from jinns may have affected his mental state. He allegedly attempted to persuade Bin Laden to acquire nuclear weapons and later retired to study the quantum mechanics of the apocalypse, the temperature of hell, and the number of angels capable of dancing on the head of a pin.
Maj. General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry is the new DG ISPR, son of nuclear scientist Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood. He belongs to EME corps and has served as DG of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation. He is a graduate of Pakistan Military Academy, Command and Staff College Quetta, Royal Command and staff college Jordan, and National Defence University. Chaudhry is the first DG ISPR from EME corps.
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry is currently serving as the 22nd Director-General of the ISPR since December 6, 2022. He comes from the EME corps and is the first one from this corps to be appointed as DG ISPR. His father is the nuclear scientist Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood and he has attended various military academies and colleges. He holds the rank of Major General in the Pakistan Army. The current DGISPR’s integrity, honesty, and capability are linked to his father, Bashiruddin Mahmood. However, the DG should not compromise his integrity for his job.
In my opinion, discussing personalities at this level is inappropriate, and those who aspire to be men/women or leaders with moral values and intelligence should refrain from doing so. This is an unacceptable action, as it gives legitimacy to the United Nations and vilifies a Pakistani hero who made a significant contribution to the development of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program. Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood is a patriotic and respected citizen of Pakistan.
