Yom-i-Takbeer, the day when Pakistan opted to go nuclear exactly 25 years ago on May 28, 1998, is a watershed moment in the country’s history. These tests demonstrated the resolve of the nation to protect its sovereignty and ensure the safety and security of its people. By opting to go nuclear, Pakistan achieved a critical deterrence capability, forcing a reconsideration of any hostile intentions from its adversary, India.
The nuclear tests have made Pakistan the seventh nation and the first Islamic country having nuclear capability. As the country marks the silver jubilee of the nuclear tests, the day brings a great message to the entire nation that with unity and hard work they can achieve what may look as an uphill task.
In the realm of international politics, few issues hold greater significance and raise more concerns than the topic of nuclear weapons. The possession and testing of these powerful weapons create an atmosphere of tension, yet for Pakistan, it became a necessary step in ensuring its national security.
Pakistan’s journey towards becoming a nuclear power began as a response to India’s nuclear program, which created an imbalance in the regional power dynamics. The overt nuclearization of India in 1974 alarmed Pakistan and intensified its sense of vulnerability. It became clear that relying solely on conventional means of defence would leave Pakistan at a severe disadvantage. In light of these circumstances, Pakistan took the bold decision to embark on its own nuclear program.
The impregnable defence offered by Pakistan’s nuclear weapons acts as a safeguard against potential aggression, giving India pause before contemplating any military adventurism. This balance of power serves as a deterrent and ensures regional stability by reducing the likelihood of an all-out conflict between two nuclear-armed nations.
Contrary to misconceptions, Pakistan’s nuclear program is not aimed at escalating tensions or destabilizing the region. Instead, it seeks to achieve a lasting peace by ensuring a credible deterrence. Pakistan’s policy of credible minimum deterrence aims to maintain a strategic balance and prevent any misadventures that could spiral into a catastrophic conflict.
Pakistan has consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution of conflicts with India, including the long standing Kashmir issue, through dialogue and negotiations. Its nuclear capability acts as a catalyst for diplomatic initiatives, encouraging constructive engagement and fostering an environment conducive to resolving contentious issues.
Pakistan, as a responsible nuclear state, has adhered to its international obligations by becoming a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Despite not being a signatory to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), Pakistan has maintained a unilateral moratorium.
As said by PM Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif that Yom-e-Takbeer is not just a day but a story of the nation’s challenging and remarkable journey towards establishing credible minimum deterrence and set a redline for its defence and lay down rules of the game for peace and stability in the region.
The entire team including scientists, politician, law enforcement agencies and everyone who played major or minimal role in making the defence invincible must be venerated on all fronts. It is a day to get united and to express the determination that with unity, hard work and staunch faith, the country can turn into an economic power house.
