Youm-e-Takbeer: Country marks 20th anniversary of historic nuclear tests

PM says tests strengthened defence in time of need

ISLAMABAD: Youm-e-Takbeer was observed on Monday to mark the 20th anniversary of Pakistan's historic nuclear tests. It was on this day in 1998 that Pakistan was forced to take that decision as a response and in self-defence to the nuclear tests accompanying hostile posturing by its neighbor, India.

However, according to a Foreign Office statement, Pakistan has remained steadfast in its commitment to non-proliferation and global peace and strategic stability.

To celebrate the day, a rally was organised in Chagai along the mountain where an atomic test took place on May 28 in 1998 near Dalbandin where a large number of people holding national flags chanted slogans in favour of Pakistan Army and Pakistan.

Party celebration PML-N to celebrate Yaum-e-Takbeer

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said the observance of Youm e Takbeer provided an opportunity to the nation to reiterate its resolve for the defence and solidarity of Pakistan.

“It's the day which reminds us that the national interests should be given priority for the motherland's progress, defence and unity,” said the prime minister celebrating the fact that on this historic day, Pakistan emerged as the first atomic power in the Islamic world. “The defence of Pakistan was made impregnable and the power of balance was maintained in the South Asia,” he added.

He said on May 11, 1998, the nuclear tests by India exposed its aggressive designs and caused impacts upon the regional balance of power and peace. But it was the need of the hour to take the difficult decision for the defence and solidarity of the motherland, he said, adding that the credit went to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership at that time which, without succumbing to the international pressure, conducted five nuclear tests on May 28, 1998 in response to the Indian aggression, thus making the defence of our motherland invincible.

Projects inaugurated

PM Abbasi said on Monday that national development and strong economy were linked only with democracy as during years-long dictatorship, there had been no sign of progress in the country.

Addressing a public gathering after inaugurating the Gojra-Toba Tek Singh Section of Faisalabad-Multan Motorway (M-4) and Sharqpur-Rajana Section of M-3 motorway in Rajana village of Toba Tek Singh, the prime minister said the motorway would unleash an unprecedented development in the area.

“Wherever you go throughout the country, you would find development projects worth hundreds of billions of rupees, which had been envisioned by former PM Nawaz Sharif,” he said.

The PM recounted his back-to-back visits to different parts of the country to inaugurate multiple development projects and said there was a long list of accomplished projects including motorways, highways, airports, seaports, power plants and industrial zones.

He said the credit for recent legislation for Fata’s merger with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa also went to the PML-N government that liberated the tribal people in real terms.

Later, PM Abbasi inaugurated a project for the capacity-building of youth in Fata under the Prime Minister's Youth Programme in collaboration with the United Nation's Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT).

The Fata Development Authority will implement the project in coordination with Pakistan Army. Under the project, vocational training and psycho-social support will be given to 100 terror-affected youth in Fata, both male and female under the age of 35, in order to provide them access to sustainable livelihood, thereby gaining resilience against terrorist propaganda and its recruitment.