ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced a public holiday on May 28 (Tuesday) to mark Youm-e-Takbeer, the historic day when Pakistan conducted successful nuclear tests in the hills of Chaghai in 1998.
In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the Youm-e-Takbeer reminded the Pakistani nation of unity to make the defence of the country invincible.
On this day, the PM said, the entire nation had resolved for the integrity of Pakistan that no compromise would be made on the country’s defence by accepting any kind of external pressure.
He added that Youm-e-Takbeer reminds political and defence forces to unite under one flag, the green crescent flag, to strengthen the defence of Pakistan.
He said the Youm-e-Takbeer is a day to pay tribute to the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan Army for making the country’s defence invincible.
On this day, we also pay tribute to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for initiating Pakistan’s nuclear programme and the scientists who played key role in its maintenance, the premier added.
Youm-e-Takbeer
Pakistan’s nuclear tests not only demonstrated the nation’s resolve to safeguard the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of the country but also the desire to preserve strategic balance in South Asia.
India tested its “device” for the first time in 1974 which compelled Islamabad to expedite its nuclear programme with renewed commitment.
Amid slogans of “Allah-o-Akbar”, Pakistan conducted its first nuclear test on May 28, 1998, at the Ras Koh hills in the Chaghai District of Balochistan.
Pakistan is committed to the promotion of an environment of peace and stability in South Asia while preserving its capability to ward off adventurism or aggression in any form.
