ISLAMABAD
The Pakistani nation on Sunday celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Youm-e-Takbeer when the country conducted its first nuclear tests on May 28, 1998 to make its defence capabilities invincible and ensure regional stability through power equilibrium.
The day brought a revival for the entire Pakistani nation and became a moment of pride for the Muslim Ummah. Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) noted that on this day 25 years ago Pakistan managed to pivot the balance of power in the region and made the defence impenetrable.
The nation also expresses gratitude for those who sacrificed their life for the cause. Detonation of nuclear devices on May 28, 1998 was culmination of a daring journey took on by Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to make the nation’s defence invincible against the arch rival India.
The program was started though with limited resources but insurmountable will and passion to ensure that the country becomes a sovereign and strong state unable to be bullied by the hostile powers.
Dreams of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto as well as the nation came true in 1998 when the then Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif stood firm against all threats to include Pakistan in the nuclear club by detonating device at Chagai.
The day, remembered as Youm-e-Takbeer is being celebrated every year across the country as a day of national pride and thanksgivings which made Pakistan the seventh nuclear nation of the world and the first Muslim state, having the nuclear arsenal in its defence stockpile to exercise maximum deterrence for peaceful purposes.
The tests not only demonstrated the resolve of the Pakistani nation to safeguard Pakistan’s territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty, but also the desire to preserve strategic balance in South Asia.
The historic statement of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto that they would starve but transform the country into a nuclear power, led to achievement of this milestone. On that day, the Pakistani leadership, notwithstanding external pressures and Indian hegemonic designs to tilt power balance through its nuclear tests, opted courageously in 1998 to respond, and restored the power balance in South Asia by conducting nuclear tests.
With such tactical and sagacious response by Pakistan on May 28, 1998, it became “a red letter day” in the country’s history, silencing the belligerent ruling junta in its neighbourhood that was clamouring with ill-conceived expansionist designs.
Youm-e-Takbeer, which literally means “the day when Allah’s name was exalted” regularly infuses new verve into the high soaring spirits of a nation which refused to cower down by the repeated threats of war mongering mindset in its neighourhood.
The history of acquiring the modern nuclear technology for exercising maximum restraint and for purely peaceful purposes, entails commitment, patriotism and strong obligation on the part of Pakistani leadership, for territorial integrity of the country.
India had tested its “device” for the first time in 1974 which compelled Pakistan to expedite its nuclear programme with renewed commitment. Amid slogans of “Allah-o-Akbar”, Pakistan conducted its first test on May 28, 1998, at the RasKoh hills in the Chaghai District of Balochistan.
But resisting the mounting external pressures to restrain and not to respond in kind, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif went for the bold decision to test the Pakistani nukes and thus balancing the strategic slanting power in the region.
Pakistan is committed to the promotion of environment of peace and stability in South Asia, while preserving its capability to ward off aggression or adventurism in any form. It is a partner in international efforts to strengthen the global non-proliferation regime based on the principles of non-discrimination and equal security for all states.
It adheres to the latest international standards on export controls and maintains highest standards of nuclear safety and security. Meanwhile in his message on the Youm-e-Takbeer, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the country’s defence, sovereignty, national dignity and freedom was above everything to the nation and no one had the courage to take away its freedom.
The prime minister said the day reminded that for the defence, solidarity and national interests, they would not budge from any sacrifice. He said the historic day was a clear declaration of ‘no compromise over country’s sovereignty, and defence’.
“Twenty five years ago today, the people of Pakistan announced the invincibility of their defense by detonating five nuclear explosions in response to India’s nuclear explosions,” he added.
The prime minister stressed that they would have to move ahead with the same spirit as manifested on Youm-e-Takbir to attain economic sovereignty and self-dependence. He underlined that it was a day to get united for the solidarity of the country as it was the main strength of the nation and expressed his determination that with such unity, hard work and staunch faith, they would turn Pakistan into ‘an economic power’.
The prime minister paid tributes to the patriotism of then prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who raised the head of Pakistan among the comity of nations with pride, adding the former prime minister had rejected all the pressures and temptations of billions of dollars and made Pakistan, the seventh nuclear world power and the first Islamic country possessing nuclear deterrence.
He also lauded Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear programme and also paid rich tributes to Benazir Bhutto Shaheed who, as an opposition leader backed prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s decision of nuclear tests in 1998. “I want to tell the youth that there were deep political differences between the government and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto but setting aside all the differences for the sake of the country, she supported the government,” he added.
The prime minister said the armed forces of the country had rendered valuable services for the country’s nuclear programme which had been a golden chapter in its history. He also appreciated Dr Abdul Qadir Khan, (Mohsin e Pakistan), all scientists, engineers and other individuals who contributed to Pakistan’s atomic proramme.
The prime minister also expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia and other brotherly and friendly countries that had helped Pakistan during the economic sanctions. He said the mountains of Chagi still echoed with the same resolve, and Balochistan province still bore distinction with regard to defence of the country.
PM Shehbaz said on May 28 1998, the whole world was on the other side putting pressures, threats and giving temptations, but the leadership of the country, with the support of nation and the opposition, made the impossible, possible. “We also faced economic difficulties. The unity of the nation is the real nuclear power of Pakistan,” he added.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general also highlighted the importance of the day, saying that the armed forces pay rich tribute to the “brilliant minds who conceived and achieved” nuclear deterrence despite challenges.
“We salute the scientists and engineers who turned the impossible into a reality. Long Live Pakistan,” the military’s media wing stated.
