President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Wednesday, acclaim Pakistan’s nuclear capacity to guarantee the sovereignty of the country, especially during recent hostilities with India.
With a holiday, the nation is celebrating Yom-i-Takbeer to commemorate the historic day of May 28, 1998 when Pakistan joined the rows of nuclear powers after the atomic tests in the hills of Chagai, Baluchistan. Pakistan became the seventh nuclear nation of the world and the first Muslim state to have a nuclear arsenal.
Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized that Youm-Takbeer was more than a celebration and was a solemn reminder of Pakistan’s resolution to safeguard his sovereignty, according to his statement carried out by the Associated Press of Pakistan.
He linked this year’s commemoration with what he described as Pakistan’s recent success by defending himself against “an unjustified war imposed by India.” Appreciating the spirit of the nation during the confrontation, the prime minister said: “Yom-i-Takbeer’s joys have increased even more for a nation full of victory.”
President Zardari also observed: “In the current regional security situation, our nuclear capacity continues to serve as a minimum credible deterrent element that guarantees our peace and guarantees that no one can undermine our sovereignty and national security.”
In a statement, he stressed that the achievement of 1998 was not “simply a demonstration of our technological advance: it was a calculated decision to guarantee peace through force, maintain strategic balance in southern Asia and protect our nation against any external aggression.”
Twenty -seven years ago, a team of Pakistani scientists led by Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and Dr. Samar Mubarakmand conducted nuclear tests in the hills of Raskoh in Chagai, after Nawaz’s decision in response to Indian nuclear tests.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, in a publication about X, said: “We thank Allah Almighty for his innumerable blessings and for granting us another glorious victory against the recent Indian aggression.”
“We praise our brave armed forces for their unwavering resolution and determination to defend the borders of the Nation against all external and internal threats.
“In the same spirit of unity and resolution, we are committed to building Pakistan in a strong economic power that would become the envy of the world,” promised the prime minister.
He praised his brother and then PM Nawaz Sharif for making “Pakistan’s defense invincible with his bold and brave decision in 1998 to move forward with a peaceful nuclear test against a strong opposition from many powerful countries.”
He also paid tribute to former President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for his “visionary leadership”, as well as “scientists and brilliant engineers who turned the vision and aspirations of the entire nation actually.”
In his statement on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz urged the nation to bring the spirit of Yom-i-Takbeer beyond defense and economic transformation.
Thanking the Patriotic Pakistani, he said: “I greet the nation, which made immense sacrifices to complete the nuclear program and wrote a proud history of their determination and faith.”
When reflecting on the historical nuclear tests carried out during Nawaz’s mandate, Shehbaz said that the decision to respond with six nuclear tests, compared to the five of India, was a demonstration of “iron resolution” against pressure and global sanctions.
“Mr. Nawaz Sharif represented the national aspirations and interests of the entire nation … and made our geographical borders impregnable forever,” the prime minister emphasized.
The prime minister also paid a brilliant tribute to the nuclear program of the architects of the Pakistan, including Bhutto and Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. He invoked the leadership of Quaid-I-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and said: “National history is witnessing that the people and political leadership of Pakistan have always made possible the impossible.”
In his message on the occasion, President Zardari said that Pakistan “demonstrated his strategic patience and commitment to peace” against the recent unpaved Indian aggression.
“Our calibrated response, under the Bunyanum Marsoos operation, was measured and effective, forced the enemy to cease its hostile actions.”
He reaffirmed that Pakistan did not seek conflicts and was committed to the principles of peaceful coexistence and respect for international law. “This day serves as a reminder of our commitment to safeguard the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of our beloved country,” said the president.
President Zardari also paid a rich tribute to Pakistani scientists, engineers, as civil and military leadership. He also appreciated Bhutto for laying the bases of the nuclear program and the role of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to strengthen him even more.
The Armed Forces renew the ‘unwavering resolution’ to defend the country against all threats
The Armed Forces of Pakistan, together with the president of the Committee of Joints of the Personnel Committee, Sahir Shamshad Mirza, and the Heads of Services, also extended their sincere congratulations to the Nation on the 27th anniversary of Yom-i-Takbeer.
A statement of public relations between services (ISPR) said: “This day underlines Pakistan’s firm commitment to preserve his territorial sovereignty and integrity. He affirms our credible minimum deterrence doctrine, rooted in the principle of maintaining peace and strategic stability in the region.”
The Armed Forces reiterated their “unwavering resolution to defend the country against all threats throughout the conflict spectrum.”
“As custodians responsible for the strategic assets of the nation, we reaffirm that our nuclear capacity remains only for defensive purposes and stands out as a guarantor of peace,” the military reaffirmed.
“You-i-Takbeer commemorates the transcendental occasion in 1998 when Pakistan emerged as a nuclear energy, restoring the strategic balance in southern Asia and affirming his sovereign right to self-defense,” he said.
The ISPR stressed that the historical achievement personified the resolution of the nation, unity and unwavering search for a dignified and peaceful existence.
“The strategic capacity of Pakistan is a national trust, which reflects the collective aspirations of its people. The commemoration of Yom-Takbeer is a tribute to the forecast of visionary leadership, the brilliance of our scientists and engineers, and the innumerable contributions of all those who gave the defense of unwavering Pakistan,” he added.
“That this day renews our collective commitment to remain attentive, united and resolved in our commitment to the security, progress and prosperity of our beloved homeland.” The Armed Forces honored the “sacrifices that made this milestone possible.”