Pakistan stands as the seventh nuclear nation and the first Muslim state with nuclear capability
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (L), President Asif Ali Zardari (C), CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir (R)
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in their messages on Youm-e-Takbeer on Thursday, reiterated that Pakistan is a responsible and peace-loving nation that respects international laws and norms, Radio Pakistan reported.
The President said in his message that the nuclear tests conducted 28 years ago established Pakistan’s deterrence capability and made it the seventh nuclear power in the world.
He paid tribute to scientists, engineers and armed forces and said their dedication, professionalism and patriotism enabled Pakistan to achieve a historic milestone.
He also recognized the role of national leadership and institutions in strengthening the country’s strategic capabilities.
The Prime Minister in his message said that the day testifies that the defense of Pakistan as envisioned by Allama Muhammad Iqbal and materialized by Muhammad Ali Jinnah remains in strong and capable hands.
Describing Youm-e-Takbeer as more than a remembrance of the nuclear tests, he said it symbolizes national dignity, sacrifice, unity and an unwavering commitment to defend the motherland.
He said Pakistan’s nuclear capability and the readiness of its armed forces remain a crucial deterrent against enemy aggression.
The Chief of Defense and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu on behalf of the Armed Forces of Pakistan extended sincere greetings to the proud people of Pakistan on the 28th and 28th anniversary.
They said this defining milestone symbolizes the nation’s unity, resilience and unwavering commitment to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national honor.
The statement said Pakistan’s strategic capability remains a sacred national trust and a guarantor of peace, stability, territorial integrity and credible deterrence in the region.
It said the armed forces of Pakistan reaffirm their unwavering resolve to defend the motherland against all threats and remain committed to ensuring the nation’s security, stability and prosperity.
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Youm-e-Takbeer is observed today to commemorate the nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan on May 28, 1998, which made the defense of the country impregnable.
On this day, Pakistan became the seventh nuclear nation in the world and the first Muslim state to possess a nuclear arsenal in its defense stockpile.
The team of Pakistani scientists, led by the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear program, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, and Dr. Samar Mubarakmand, carried out the nuclear tests in the RasKoh hills of the Chaghai district of Balochistan.
These tests not only demonstrated the determination of the Pakistani nation to protect the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Pakistan, but also reflected the desire to maintain the strategic balance in South Asia.
Resisting the mounting external pressure, the then former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, took the decision to test the Pakistani nuclear weapons in response to the Indian nuclear tests, thereby balancing the strategic power equation in the region.
Pakistan is committed to promoting an environment of peace and stability in South Asia while maintaining its ability to counter aggression or adventurism in any form.
