Samar Mubarakmand (Urdu: ثمر مبارک مند; 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. His Muslim family was originally 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). 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. 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.
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.
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 source 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. 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:
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