Heroes of Pakistan - Dr Abdus Salam

At the age of 14 Abdus Salam scored the highest marks ever recorded in the matriculation examination in the Indian sub continent, few knew his potential at such a young age. Abdus Salam belonged to a poor family, just like many other stories of Pakistani heroes. His father could barely afford his education since he was a low ranked officer in the Dept. Of Education, but Abdus Salam was persistent and won a full scholarship to the Government College University, Lahore in 1944.

During the second world war the British government imposed 'War tax' on Indian Subcontinent. After the war few million rupees were left with the Punjab Government. Malik Khizar Hayat, the Chief Minister of Punjab at that time had two choices, either pass the money to the British government or donate it to some other fund of the government. He did neither and announced that he will send 4 most intelligent students of Punjab for higher studies to the Cambridge University, United Kingdom.

It was his dream come true and that's the place where he received his Doctoral degree in Theoretical Physics and Abdus Salam became Dr Abdus Salam.

His achievements in science are so much that this space is not enough, few include starting the first scholarship program ever for Pakistani students from London, becoming the head the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and then in 1964 he also became the first ever Pakistani to head the International Atomic Energy Commission, and most importantly he became the First and Only noble prize winner of Pakistan in 1979.

He had to leave Pakistan because of his protest and life threats when Ahmedis were declared non-Muslims but he never cut his ties with Pakistan and was instrumental in Pakistan becoming an atomic power. He passed away in 1996.

For people who taunt people who don't live in Pakistan. Dr Abdus Salam was the best example of giving Pakistan a good name in the world without being in Pakistan. Unfortunately we did not give him the respect he deserved. A Muslim or not, good or bad, he was a true Pakistani, it is such a shame that instead of taking him as an inspiration, we barely know anything about him. If we can't honor him as a Muslim* he for sure can honor him as a Pakistani. May his soul rest in peace.