Usmani later joined Niels Bohr at the London University to continue his investigation on the electron diffraction through crystallization, and submitted his thesis under the supervision of Dr. Bohr, titled: "A study of the growth of compound crystals by electron diffraction" in 1939.[8] His early work and investigation was based on the crystallization, lattice arrangement, and atomic properties of Uranium.[7]
In 1941, Usmani was conferred with PhD in atomic physics, just aged 23, and subsequently returned to India in 1942, where he qualified for the examination for the Indian Civil Service (ICS).[6] Rather than seeking teaching career in physics at the Indian universities, Usmani joined the Indian Civil Service in a view of seeking an employment opportunity with the Indian government, and served as an ICS officer in Madras Presidency from 1942 to 1947.: 13 [2][7]
After the partition of India in 1947 by the United Kingdom, Usmani, who had decided to never teach physics at the university, chose to continue his public service with the Government of Pakistan, serving in various federal agencies including his role as Chief Controller of Imports and Exports with the Ministry of Finance.: 13 [2] He built up his prestige in the federal government and was noted by President Ayub Khan for his doctorate in physics who could advise the federal government on scientific matters, especially ways of electricity generation in Pakistan besides hydroelectricity.[7]
In 1961, Usmani commissioned the American firms, the Gibbs and Hill and Internuclear Company, to conduct feasibility and standard study for the establishment of nuclear power plants, whose recommendations became the standard for the PAEC's construction of nuclear power industry in the country.: 15 [2] Usmani also provided his support to Planning Commission and Geological Survey (GSP) to independently conduct surveys for the construction of the power plant, and engaged in negotiation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for financial and further support for the power plant to be constructed in Karachi, known as the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP).: 15 [2] In 1967, Usmani played a pivotal role in securing the federal funding for establishing the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology near Islamabad– a visionary national laboratory site functioning under Dr. Abdus Salam, a theoretical physicist.: 15 [2] He helped negotiate the establishment of the Institute by speaking with the American architect, Edward Durrell Stone, and oversaw the final construction of the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology by 1967–68. : 15–16 [2]
Usmani was well known for his support for the anti-nuclear weapons movement, and saw the American 'Project Plowshare' tests for using nuclear bombs to create artificial lakes as ineffective and insignificant.[7] In 1967–70, he worked with the Ministry of Defense on nuclear arms control by advising the Yahya administration.[7] At one point, Usmani refused to allow a team of Pakistani scientists to participate in the American testing because he believed, "Pakistan would not be benefitted at all due to the technology Pakistanis at that time were unfamiliar with it.[clarify][7] In 1964, he deplored the People's Republic of China's first nuclear test, 'Project 596', but congratulated the Chinese scientists for their achievement while cautiously stressing for the Chinese to focus towards increasing living standards and their gross national product (GNP) rather than conducting atomic tests.: 173 [11][7]
He also rebuffed Homi J. Bhabha's claim of India following the American nuclear tests, and viewed negatively India's claims of their first test, 'Smiling Buddha' being a "peaceful" atomic test in 1974.[7] In 1971, there was a serious diplomatic incident when PAEC's Dhaka Center complained of the air quality when it detected nuclear particles that originated from China, Usmani reportedly shared the data with Americans when the Pakistan Air Forces' (PAF) Boeing WC-135 Constant Phoenix was flown on a secretive air sampling mission over China— this matter was quietly closed between China and Pakistan.: 91 [12]
By 1971, PAEC had become a world leading nuclear organization and focused their role towards the advancement of science and technology while developing the nuclear power generation program,accompanying the officials at the commissioning services of the KANUPP-I– Pakistan's first nuclear power plant.[clarify][9] As Chairman of the PAEC, Usmani tried advising for nuclear arms control to the Bhutto administration by keeping their nuclear capability as discreet as possible to prevent unwanted international attention. Usmani was widely notorious at PAEC for disrupting research on nuclear materials by transferring scientists to non-technical and corporate positions.: 91 [12] Usmani also strongly objected and vocally disagreed with the appointment of Dr. Mubashir Hassan, an engineer with doctorate in civil engineering, as Finance Minister who was looking after the PAEC's operational scope.: 90 [12]
Even at the IAEA, he remained concerned about nuclear proliferation and called for arms control when he published an article Nucleonics Week in 1981, in which he claimed that Pakistan's atomic bomb program has been a failure and is unlikely ever to be capable of producing even the crudest of nuclear devices— therefore the program is near collapse.[14] Although, Usmani was notified and knew well that the atomic bomb project was a complete success, the program has gone mature, and the critical phase of producing the fissile cores had been achieved since 1978.[14] His publication played an influential role in convincing the United States' policy to ease off the nuclear embargo on Pakistan.[14]
Usmani returned to Pakistan in 1991 where he bought an estate in Karachi, Sindh, and died on 17 June 1992.[6] In his country, Usmanis' advocacy for nuclear arms control and civil use of nuclear power remains popular.[6]
During his public service, Usmani successfully presented the idea of Scientific Services, where scientists could seek promising career and permanent employment with the federal government, which many of his peers and scientists did .[6] In May 1998, Usmani was posthumously recognized for his services when he was conferred with his nation's highest honor, the Nishan-i-Imtiaz.[6]
^ abcdefYusuf, Suhail (16 June 2011). "Dr I. H. Usmani". The Dawn News International. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
^"History". www.suparco.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 17 April 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
^Agency, United States Arms Control and Disarmament (1974). Documents on Disarmament. United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
^ abcdEnergy, United States Dept of Energy Division of Geothermal (1978). Geothermal Energy. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Technology, Office of Solar, Geothermal, Electric, and Storage Systems, Division of Geothermal Energy. Retrieved 24 April 2020.