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 fibers to reduce electromagnetic interference. These studies formed part of the broader development of fiber‑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 assured with high confidence through cold testing. Each test involved the detection and measurement of fast neutrons emitted in brief, intense bursts lasting less than a microsecond. All available nuclear devices that had been designed and developed were subsequently cold tested and qualified. 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 centers 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: 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. Other strategic systems, including
Babur and
Ghaznavi, were also developed by teams he led. Development of the
Babur cruise missile (range ~700 km) proceeded in the same period; multiple boost‑phase and flight‑phase tests evaluated performance and potential roles in national defense 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 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.
Reko Diq Copper Gold Project In December 2020, the Tethyan Cooper Company (TCC) 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. A senior official revealed that the "misstatement" of Mubarakmand before the Supreme Court tribunal, in which he in 2011 had claimed that the
Reko Diq gold mines would fetch Pakistan around $2.5 billion annually, was one of the main reasons behind the Supreme Court's decision on 7 January 2013. On that date, a three-member bench of the apex court, headed by then Chief Justice
Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, declared the Chagai Hills Exploration Joint Venture Agreement (Chejva) "illegal, void" and non-binding, causing the ICSID to penalize Pakistan. Mubarakmand projected that
Reko Diq and other reserves could generate up to $131 billion over the mine’s lifetime. The tribunal relied on his statement. ==State honors==