Samar Mubarakmand (Urdu: ; born 17 September 1942) is a Pakistani nuclear physicist, known for his research in gamma spectroscopy and the development of the Charged Particle Accelerator at the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology (PINSTECH).
As of 2026, he is leading the mineral exploration efforts in the Chiniot district, serving as the chairman of the Punjab Mineral Company.
Early life and education Mubarakmand was born on 17 September 1942, in Rawalpindi in the Punjab Province of British India into a Muslim family that originally hailed from the Hoshiarpur District. He was educated in Lahore and graduated from St. Anthony's High School in 1956.
After passing university entrance examinations, he enrolled at Government College University (GCU), where he studied physics under Tahir Hussain. During university, Mubarakmand was a swimmer and represented GCU at the National Games of Pakistan. In 1960, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in physics, concentrating in experimental physics with a minor in mathematics.
He researched experimental physics under Hussain and built an experimental apparatus for his master's thesis. His thesis included work on gamma‑ray spectrometry, and he conducted an experiment witnessed by nuclear physicist Denys Wilkinson as part of his master's programme. Wilkinson invited Mubarakmand to visit the University of Oxford to pursue further study in experimental physics.
In 1962, Mubarakmand received an Master of Science (MSc) in physics after completing his thesis, Construction of a Gamma-Ray Spectrometer. The same year, he joined the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and received a scholarship to study at Oxford, where he joined Wilkinson's group. Mubarakmand helped prepare and commission a 22‑million‑volt particle accelerator. He also studied linear accelerators and, after returning to Pakistan, built one. Besides his studies, he played cricket as a fast bowler for the Oxford University Cricket Club.
During his doctoral studies on nuclear structure at the University of Oxford, Mubarakmand developed and refined a technique for the spectroscopy of fast neutrons released during the nuclear reactions under investigation. This technique has direct applications in conducting cold tests of nuclear devices. In 1966, he completed his doctoral thesis under Wilkinson and was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in experimental nuclear physics.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)
Upon completing his doctoral research in fast neutron spectrometry, Mubarakmand was appointed to head the Diagnostic Group of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). Drawing on his experience with high‑energy accelerators, he converted a neutron generator available at PAEC to study nuclear structure and fast neutron scattering.
In 1974, he completed research on fast neutron‑induced reactions and developed experimental techniques for neutron spectroscopy. This work resulted in several publications in the journals Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Instruments and Methods (North‑Holland).a) A Fast Neutron Time-of-Flight Spectrometer - S. Mubarakmand, N.A. Khan and P.K. Maher - Nuclear Instruments and Methods 86 (1970) 149-155 b) Neutron Detection Efficiency of an Organic Scintillator - S. Mubarakmand and M. Anwar - Nuclear Instruments and Methods 93 (1971) 515-518 c) Aspects of α-Emission from the Bombardment of 58Ni with 14.7 MeV Neutrons - N.A Khan, S. Mubarakmand and Mahmud Ahmad - Nuclear Physics A202 (1973) 123-126 d) Cross-Section Measurements with a Neutron Generator - S. Mubarakmand, M. Ahmad, M. Anwar and M.S. Chaudhry - Nuclear Instruments and Methods 115 (1974) 345-347
From 1974 to 1977, he served on temporary attachment as director of the Center for Advanced Studies in Physics (CASP) at Government College University, Lahore. During this period, he developed an interest in applications of solid‑state track detectors. In 1976, he presented this work at an international conference at the Max Planck Institute in Munich.a) Absolute Determination of Uranium Concentration in Rocks by Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy — S. Mubarakmand, Parvez Chaudhary and F.I. Nagi — Nuclear Instruments and Methods 140 (1977) 133–135 b) Application of Glass Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors in the Measurement of the Charged Particle Fission Cross-Section of Uranium — S. Mubarakmand, Khalid Rashid, Parvez Chaudhary and Hameed A. Khan — Nuclear Instruments and Methods 147 (1977) 279–281 c) Etching of Glass Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors in Aqueous Solutions of (NH4) HF2, NaOH and KOH — Hameed A. Khan, R.A. Akber, A. Waheed, P. Chaudhry and S. Mubarakmand — Int. Journal of Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Vol. 29 (1978) 229–232 d) Some Characteristic Differences Between the Etch Pits due to Radon and Thoron Alpha Particles in CA80-115 and LR-115 Cellulose Nitrate Track Detectors — S. Mubarakmand — Int. Journal of Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 1977, Vol. 28, 727–731a) New Etchants for Soda Lime Glass Track Detectors — Hameed A. Khan, R.A. Akber, A. Waheed, P. Chaudhry and S. Mubarakmand — Proceedings of the 9th Int. Conf. on SSNTD (Munich, 1976), edited by F. Granzfer, E. Schopper, Pergamon Press (1978) b) The Use of CA80-15 and LR-115 Cellulose Nitrate Track Detectors for Discrimination Between Radon and Thoron — H.A. Khan, R.A. Akber, A. Waheed, M. Afzal, P. Chaudhry, S. Mubarakmand and F.I. Nagi — Proceedings of the 9th Inter. Conf. on SSNTD (Munich, 1976), edited by F. Granzer, E. Schopper and H.G. Paretzche, Pergamon Press (1978) c) The Measurement of Helium‑Ion‑Induced Fission Cross‑Section of Uranium by Glass Track Detectors — S. Mubarakmand, P. Chaudhry, K. Rashid, R.A. Akber and H.A. Khan — Proceedings of the 9th Inter. Conf. on SSNTD (Munich, 1976), edited by F. Granzer, E. Schopper and H.G. Paretzche, Pergamon Press (1978)
From 1977 to 1980, Mubarakmand conducted research on the use of lasers and on isotope separation in sulphur hexafluoride. He also studied methods of transmitting signals through optical fibres to reduce electromagnetic interference. These studies formed part of the broader development of fibre‑optic technology in Pakistan during that period.11. Citation – “Transmission of Fast Interference Free Signals Through Optical Fibers.” Award of Sitara‑i‑Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan, 1992, to Dr. Samar Mubarakmand
1971 War and Atomic Bomb Project In the 1980s, PAEC was busy developing several designs of nuclear devices and decided that these designs would have to be ratified through cold tests. Mubarakmand was associated with fast neutron spectrometry.
Munir Khan, chairman of the PAEC, selected Mubarakmand as the first choice for head of the Diagnostic Group.12.Pakistan's Pathway to the Bomb - Ambitions, Politics, and Rivalries - Georgetown University Press (2022), Chapter 8, “The Cold Tests: Taking the Gadget for a Ride” Page 194, Mansoor Ahmed
Several designs of nuclear devices were developed, and their performance was evaluated with a high degree of confidence through cold testing. Many of the tests involved the detection and measurement of fast neutrons emitted in brief bursts lasting less than a microsecond. All developed device designs were subsequently subjected to cold testing and evaluation. In addition, the Diagnostic Group successfully carried out the important task of designing and manufacturing a neutron trigger source13. Pakistan's Pathway to the Bomb - Ambitions, Politics, and Rivalries - Georgetown University Press (2022), Chapter 8, “The Cold Tests: Taking the Gadget for a Ride” Page 190, Mansoor Ahmed based on fusion reactions. This neutron source would trigger a nuclear device in a hot test.
From 1991 to 1994, Mubarakmand headed the Directorate of Technical Development (DTD). During this period, the directorate developed smaller nuclear devices for use with fighter aircraft and other delivery systems, with designs validated through cold testing.
After three years as Director DTD, Mubarakmand was promoted to Director General DTD in 1994. In 1995, he was given the responsibility of Member Technical PAEC, which he held until 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 centres of Nuclear Medicine, Agriculture, PINSTECH, and New Labs. At New Labs, Mubarakmand and a team of PAEC’s Scientists and Engineers were able to establish and commission Pakistan’s first reprocessing plant for burnt reactor fuel. This led to the production of metallic plutonium at the facility in the year 2000.14. Pakistan's Pathway to the Bomb - Ambitions, Politics, and Rivalries - Georgetown University Press (2022) Conclusion, pages 258,260, Mansoor Ahmed
Several areas were visited and studied with the help of senior geologists of the PAEC. Chairman Ishfaq Ahmed eventually selected the Chaghai site for conducting Pakistan’s nuclear hot tests. Mubarakmand supervised the installation of diagnostic equipment and other nuclear testing safety infrastructure.
In 2005, Mubarakmand eulogized his memories in an interview with Hamid Mir's Capital Talk television show and said:
Recalling Munir Ahmad Khan and the PAEC's role in relation to the atomic bomb project priority dispute, Mubarakmand later said that:
Pakistan’s missile program
In the 1990s, Mubarakmand worked to advance the space program and led a team of engineers that developed the Shaheen-I missile. He was the founding director of the National Defence Complex (NDC), which initiated work on the Shaheen‑I and garnered support for the program. Funding for the program was secured by the military, and 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 further pursued in 1993 under Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The Shaheen‑I missile was test‑fired in 1999 by a team of engineers led by Mubarakmand. Subsequently, Shaheen-II and Shaheen-III were test‑fired, with ranges of 2,000 km and 2,750 km, respectively.CSIS: 1616 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., U.S. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_Strategic_and_International_Studies
Other strategic systems, including Babur and Ghaznavi, were also developed by teams he led. Development of the Babur cruise missile (range ~700 km)CSIS: 1616 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., U.S. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_Strategic_and_International_Studies proceeded in the same period; multiple boost‑phase and flight‑phase tests evaluated performance and potential roles in national defence strategy. Mubarakmand retired from the NESCOM in November 2007.
In 2008, he joined the Planning Commission of Pakistan, where he advocated for peaceful uses of the space program. In 2009, he announced work on Paksat-1R, the country's first geostationary satellite, which was launched in 2011. The satellite was described as supporting monitoring of agriculture, mineral resources, and weather conditions; he also stated that there were sufficient funds for defence, nuclear, and space programs. It was launched in 2011 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China. His relations with Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan were often tense over scientific issues.
Thar Coal Project