Abdul Qadeer Khan vs Mariano Paredes

Abdul Qadeer Khan founded the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in Kahuta, a secret facility dedicated to uranium enrichment. The lab became the center of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program, developing centrifuge technology for weapons-grade material.

Pakistan conducted its first nuclear tests at the Chagai test site in Balochistan, using designs and materials developed under A.Q. Khan's leadership. The tests made Pakistan a nuclear-armed state, altering the strategic balance in South Asia.

A.Q. Khan confessed on national television to running a clandestine nuclear proliferation network that supplied technology to Iran, Libya, and North Korea. He was placed under house arrest, damaging Pakistan's international reputation.

After his confession, A.Q. Khan was placed under house arrest in Islamabad. He faced no formal trial, and his detention was widely seen as a compromise to avoid revealing state involvement in proliferation. He remained under restriction until his death.

Paredes issued the Plan of San Luis Potos

Paredes was president when the Mexican-American War began in April 1846 after the Thornton Affair. He failed to prepare the Mexican military adequately, leading to early defeats by the United States.

Paredes was overthrown by a federalist revolt led by Mariano Salas and others. He was forced into exile in Europe, ending his brief presidency and his political career.