Youm-e-Takbeer: PM Nawaz reiterates resolve for unity of Pakistan

Reminisces how country became nuclear power

ISLAMABAD: Youm-e-Takbeer is a day of pride for the Pakistani nation and the Muslims across the world, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday.

“With the blessing of Almighty Allah, Pakistan became the seventh nuclear power of the world. So, the nation, while reiterating its resolve for solidarity and unity of Pakistan, should celebrate the occasion,” he said in a message issued on the eve of Youm-e-Takbeer.

The national day is observed every May 28 since Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in Chaghi, Balochistan, on May 28, 1998, in response to India’s nuclear explosions 17 days earlier.

PM Nawaz said that on May 11, 1998, India had disturbed the balance of power in the South Asian region. “There was a surge in the aggressive designs of India, as it not only exposed its intentions of sending the armed forces to Azad Kashmir, with the converging of the army on the Line of Control, but its defence minister also announced that the Indian Army would be armed with the nuclear weapons.”

Under such a nerve-racking situation, Pakistan initiated consultations to cope with the Indian threat and face the international pressure mounting on the country for not conducting the nuclear tests, the premier added.

“But, fortunately, the spirit and thoughts of the entire nation and by keeping the national interest in sight, we took the decision, and by the grace of Almighty Allah, on May 28, 1998, Pakistan became a nuclear power.”

Nawaz said that after conducting the nuclear tests, Pakistan’s defence had become impregnable and the country’s enemies could not dare look towards it with ill intentions. “Now the enemies have changed their strategy and are trying to weaken the country internally.”

The government alone cannot face such a situation, and for this purpose the government, the nation and the armed forces have to tackle it together, the PM said. “By the grace of Allah Almighty, today the entire Pakistani nation is united on the issue of terrorism.”

The premier vowed that with the support of the masses, the nation would definitely succeed in its objective to make Pakistan a modern and developed country.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2015.