Samar Mubarakmand

Samar Mubarakmand (Urdu: ; b. 17 September 1942; NI, HI, SI, FPAS) is a Pakistani nuclear physicist known for his research in gamma spectroscopy and experimental development of the linear accelerator.

His career is noted as being Pakistan's premium diagnostics scientist on nuclear weapons and eventually led as a test director for nuclear weapons testing in Ras Koh Range in Balochistan in Pakistan in 1998.

Prior to that, he was the lead scientist on Pakistani military's Hatf Program, which he oversaw the development of Shaheen and the Babur programs, as Chairman of the National Engineering and Scientific Commission (Nescom) from 2001 until 2007. His career in the government continued when he was appointed as a science adviser in the federal Government of Pakistan to assist the Thar coalfield project. He is heading the Mineral Exploration work in district Chiniot as Chairman, Board of Directors Punjab Mineral Company, (Mines & Minerals Department) Government of Punjab.

Early life and education
Samar Mubarakmand was born in Rawalpindi on 17 September 1942 to a Punjabi family from Hoshiarpur, East Punjab. He gained his education in Lahore and matriculated from St. Anthony's High School in 1956. After passing the university entrance exams, he enrolled at Government College University (GCU) where he studied physics under Tahir Hussain. In 1960, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in physics with a concentration in experimental physics and a minor in mathematics. During his college years, Mubarakmand was an avid swimmer and represented GCU at the National Games of Pakistan.

He conducted research in experimental physics under Hussain and built an experimental apparatus for his master's thesis. His thesis contained detailed work on gamma ray spectrometry and performed an experiment that was witnessed by nuclear physicist Denys Wilkinson as part of his master's program. Wilkinson spoke highly of his work and invited Mubarakmand to visit Oxford University in the United Kingdom to resume studies in experimental physics.

In 1962, Mubarakmand gained a Master of Science (MSc) in physics after publishing his thesis, "Construction of a gamma-ray spectrometer," under Hussain. In 1962, he joined the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and gained a scholarship to study at Oxford University. Recommended by Wilkinson, he was admitted there and joined the group led by Wilkinson. At Oxford Mubarakmand participated in preparing a 22 million volt particle accelerator and was part of the team that commissioned it.

During his time at Oxford, Mubarakmand learned about linear accelerators, and after returning to Pakistan he built one. Apart from studying, Mubarakmand played cricket and fast bowled for the Oxford University Cricket Club. In 1966, Mubarakmand completed his doctoral thesis under Wilkinson and was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Experimental Nuclear Physics.

On his return to Pakistan, he joined the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. From the experience he gained in the use of high energy accelerators, he converted a neutron generator available with PAEC, to study nuclear structure and fast neutron scattering.

Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)
In the period 1966 to 1974, he advanced his research in fast neutron induced reactions and creation of experimental techniques for accurate neutron spectroscopy. This effort resulted in several publications in the Journals “Nuclear Physics” and “Nuclear Instrumentation and Methods” North Holland publications.

From 1974 to 1977, he was posted as Director at Center for Advanced Studies in Physics (CASP) at Government College University Lahore on temporary attachment. During his tenure as Director, he developed deep interest in the applications of Solid-State Track Detectors. He presented his work at an International Conference held at the Max Planck Institute, Munich, in 1976.

During the three-year period from 1977 to 1980, Mubarakmand had the opportunity of working on applications of different lasers and separation of isotopes of sulfur in sulfur hexafluoride. Mubarakmand pioneered an expertise in transmission of Fast Signals through Optical Fibers avoiding external interference from electromagnetic radiations on data transmission. This later led to the adoption of wide applications of Fiber Optic technology in communications throughout the country.

1971 War and Atomic Bomb Project
In the decade of the 80’s, when PAEC was busy in developing several designs of nuclear devices, it was felt that these designs would have to be ratified through Cold Tests. Samar Mubarakmand, an experimental physicist was known for his expertise in the field of fast neutron spectrometry.

During his research in nuclear structure for his D.Phil. at Oxford, Mubarakmand developed and refined the technique for spectroscopy of fast neutrons released during the nuclear reactions under his study. This technique has direct applications in carrying out the cold tests of nuclear devices.

Mubarakmand was Munir Khan, Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission’s first choice, to appoint him as head of the Diagnostic Group.

Several designs of nuclear devices were developed and high confidence in their performance assured through Cold Testing. Each of these tests involved detection and measurement of Fast Neutrons emitted in short sharp sub micro second bursts. Mubarakmand’s experience of earlier years of Fast Neutron Physics was now counting. All the available nuclear devices designed and developed were consequently Cold Tested and qualified. The Diagnostic Group also accomplished the important task of designing and manufacturing a neutron trigger source based on fusion reactions. This neutron source would Trigger a nuclear device in a Hot Test.

From 1991 to 1994, Mubarakmand was given a higher responsibility to lead the Directorate of Technical Development (DTD). He supervised and modernized the method of working at his new assignment and within the short period of three years more efficient, powerful and compact nuclear devices were produced to meet the varied requirements of Pakistan’s Fighter Aircraft as well as the upcoming delivery systems of different types. All the designs were ratified through Cold Testing by his previous diagnostic team. After three years as Director DTD, Mubarakmand was promoted as Director General DTD in 1994. In 1995, he was given the greater responsibility of Member Technical PAEC which he held till the year 2000. During the five year tenure, Mubarakmand, apart from looking after the classified side of the Technical Program of PAEC, also became responsible for the optimal functioning of the centers of Nuclear Medicine, Agriculture, PINSTECH and New Labs. At the last mentioned facility, Mubarakmand and an outstanding team of PAEC’s Scientists and Engineers were able to establish and commission Pakistan’s first reprocessing Plant for burnt reactor fuel. Thus, an important milestone of producing Metallic plutonium was achieved in the year 2000.

Several areas were visited and studied with the help of Senior Geologists of the PAEC and finally the Chairman PAEC, Ishfaq Ahmed selected the Chaghai Site for conducting Pakistan’s Hot Tests at an appropriate time. Mubarakmand supervised the installation of Diagnostic Equipment and other facilities at the Site relevant to the safe conduction of the Nuclear Tests.

In 2005, Mubarakmand eulogised his memories in an interview with Hamid Mir's Capital Talk television show and said:

"I visited the first weapon-testing laboratories (WTL) at (Chagai District) for the first time in 1981.... When the science experiments were to be conducted, our science teams went there on 20th May, and again on 28th May, in the early morning, the WTL iron-steel tunnels were (electronically) plugged in and the preparation for the tests' experiments were complete, and on 28th May, around 15:15hrs, was the time selected for testings. So, at that time, at around 14:45hrs, some of our high profiled guests arrived to witness the (science) experiments that were soon to be tests, and Qadeer Khan was also one of them.... It was the first visit of his life to any of Chagai's Weapon-testing laboratories. (Abdul Qadeer) came at the invitation of the Chairman of the PAEC, Ishfaq Ahmad, and (Abdul Qadeer) arrived 15 minutes prior to the (science) experiments that were to be conducted..."

Recalling Munir Ahmad Khan and PAEC's role and its relation to the atomic bomb project priority dispute, Mubarakmand later said that:

"As many as nineteen steps were involved in the making of a nuclear weapon ranging from exploration of uranium to the finished device and its trigger mechanism.The technological and manpower infrastructure for eighteen out of these nineteen steps were provided by PAEC under the leadership of Munir Ahmad Khan who led it for nearly two decades from 1972 to 1991. Today all the major key scientific organizations linked to the country's security like PAEC, the Kahuta Research Labs and the strategic production complex were run and operated by Pakistani professionals produced by the policies of PAEC both under him and Usmani of producing indigenous trained manpower. Pakistan's nuclear capability was confirmed the day in 1983 when PAEC carried out cold nuclear tests under the guidance and stewardship of Munir Ahmad Khan. The tests however, were not publicly announced because of the international environment of stiff sanctions against countries, which sought to acquire nuclear capability...."

Pakistan's Missile Program
In 1990s, Mubarakmand took special initiatives in the advancement of the space program and led a team of engineers to successfully develop the Shaheen-I missile. He was the founding director of the National Defence Complex (NDC) bureau that initiated the work on the Shaheen-I and gathered support for the program. Necessary funding for the program was secured by the military. Mubarakmand oversaw the development of the solid-fuel rocket booster. Initiated in 1987 by the Pakistan Ministry of Defence in response to India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, Pakistan's spin-off missile program was aggressively pursued by Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1993. The Shaheen-I missile was successfully test fired in 1999 by a team of engineers led by Mubarakmand. Subsequently, Shaheen-II and Shaheen-III missiles were successfully test fired with ranges of 2000 Km and 2750 Km respectively.

Key strategic weapon systems, such as the Babur and Ghaznavi missiles, were also built by his team.

Development of Babur Cruise Missile with a range of 700 Km was also commenced during the same period. Several tests of its boost phase and flight phase were conducted with the objective of providing Pakistan with a second strike capability. Mubarakmand retired from NESCOM in November 2007.

In 2008, Mubarakmand joined the Planning Commission of Pakistan where he strongly advocated for peaceful usage of their space program. In 2009, he revealed the work on Paksat-1R, the nation's first geostationary satellite that was launched in 2011.

The satellite was described as being able to monitor agricultural programs, minerals programs and weather conditions and quoted that there were sufficient funds for the defence, nuclear and space programs. The satellite was launched in 2011 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China. His relations with Abdul Qadeer Khan often remained tense over several scientific issues.

Thar Coal Project
In 2013, Mubarakmand assisted the Provincial Government of Balochistan in mineral extraction. He lobbied heavily for the implementation of the Thar coal project initiated by the Provincial Government of Sindh despite strong public criticism by Abdul Qadeer Khan. In 2015, a breakthrough in the Thar coal project was reported by the media. According to Mubarakmand, a massive coal reserve in Thar can provide affordable power for the next 600 years. When speaking to a large crowd at Cadet College Fateh Jang, he said that he had developed a solution to the growing power outage and was now waiting for the government to put it into action. 

Reko Diq Copper Gold Project
The Tethyan Cooper Company (TCC) has approached the High Court of Justice in the British Virgin Islands for the enforcement of the $5.97 billion award against Pakistan by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in the Reko Diq case in Dec-20.

A senior official revealed that the "misstatement" of scientist, Mubarakmand before the Supreme Court tribunal, in 2011, was one of the main reasons behind the Supreme Court Decision On 7 January 2013, when a three-member bench of the apex court, headed by then Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, declared Chejva "illegal, void" and non-binding, causing ICSID slapping the heavy penalty on Pakistan. Mubarakmand had claimed that the Reko Diq gold mines would fetch the country around $2.5 billion annually. He had also maintained Reko Diq and other gold reserves in the country will bring in $131 billion to the national exchequer in life of mine, 56 years. The tribunal relied on his statement.

State honours
Mubarakmand has been conferred with state honors for his services to the country by the Government of Pakistan. He is the recipient of the: Sitara-e-Imtiaz (1992); Hilal-e-Imtiaz (1998); and the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (2003), which is the highest civil honor of Pakistan. In addition, he is a Fellow of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS), inducted by Ishfaq Ahmad in 2000.


 * Nishan-e-Imtiaz (2003)
 * Hilal-e-Imtiaz (1998)
 * Sitara-e-Imtiaz (1992)
 * PAS Nazir Ahmad Award (2005)
 * International Scientist of the Year (2007)
 * Life Member, Pakistan Nuclear Society
 * Roll of Honour GCU (1962)
 * Fellow, Pakistan Mathematical Society (2003)

Research publications

 * Aspects of a-emission from the bombardment of 58Ni with 14.7 MeV neutrons, by Naeem Ahmad Khan, Samar Mubarakmand and Masud Ahmed, journal of Nuclear physics, PINSTECH.
 * Cross-section measurements with a neutron generator by Samar Mubarakmand, Masud Ahmad, M. Anwar and M. S. Chaudhry.
 * Some characteristic differences between the etch pits due to 86Rn and 232 Th α particles in CA80–15 and LR–115 cellulose nitrate track detectors, by Hameed Ahmad Khan, M. Afzal, P. Chaudhary, Samar Mubarakmand, F. I. Nagi and A.Waheed, journal of Isotopic Radiation, PINSTECH (1977).
 * Application of glass solid state nuclear track detectors in the measurement of the + particle fission cross–section of uranium, by Samar Mubarakmand, K. Rashid, P. Chaudhry and Hameed Ahmad Khan, Methods of Nuclear Instrumentation. (1977)
 * Etching of glass solid state nuclear track detectors in aqueous solutions of (4NH)2HF, NaOH and KOH, by Hameed Ahmad Khan, R. A. Akbar, A. Waheed, P. Chaudhry and Samar Mubarakmand, journal of Isotopic Radiation, PINSTECH (1978).