LAHORE: Youm-e-Takbeer was marked on Thursday in commemoration of nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan on May 28, 1998, which made the country’s defence invincible.
On this day, Pakistan became the seventh nuclear nation of the world and the first Muslim state having the nuclear arsenal in its defence stockpile. The team of Pakistan’s scientists led by founder of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and Dr Samar Mubarakmand carried out nuclear tests in the RasKoh Hills in the Chaghai District of Balochistan.
These 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.
By resisting the mounting external pressures, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif went for taking the bold decision to test the Pakistani nukes in response to Indian nuclear tests and thus balancing the strategic slanting power in the region.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in a message, congratulated every Pakistani and the entire Muslim Ummah on the day. She saluted every member of the team that carried out the nuclear mission for the defence of the homeland. She also paid tribute to Nawaz Sharif, saying he made Pakistan the first nuclear power in the Islamic world.
The CM said Youm-e-Takbeer is a day of pride not only for Pakistan but also for the entire Muslim world. She said Pakistan’s nuclear programme is a symbol of the country’s strong defence. “May 10 or May 28, the Pakistani nation still recognizes the courageous decisions of the PML-N leadership,” she said.
The chief minister said Pakistan was made a nuclear power for strong defence, and now the mission is to make it economically invincible. She urged the nation to renew its commitment to unity, solidarity, hard work, patience and tolerance.
Talking to media, PML-N leader and Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir said Pakistan did not compromise on national sovereignty despite global pressure, sanctions and financial offers. “If Pakistan had not become a nuclear power, the enemy could have gone to any extent,” he said, adding: Pakistan has no aggressive intentions but reserves the right to defend itself.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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