Pakistan marks 24th ceremony of its nuclear explosions

Pakistan is celebrating 24th Youm-e-Takbeer ceremony on Friday to commemorate its historic nuclear tests conducted on May 28, 1998 at Chaghi in Balochistan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The day is being commemorated with national enthusiasm and sense of patriotism. The government had decided to observe 10-day celebrations to mark the Youm-e-Takbeer under the theme of “Na Jhukay Thay, Na Jhukay Ge” (We Never Yielded and We Will Never Yield). 

On the historic day of May 28, 1998, after conducting atomic explosions, Pakistan became the seventh atomic power of the world and first ever of the Muslim world. 

Pakistan conducted five atomic explosions in response to India’s one explosion which took its arch rival off guard, leaving it baffled completely. 

Rejecting the world pressure, then prime minister Nawaz Sharif decided to go with the atomic explosion decision in the best national interest and in order to make country’s national defence unassailable. 

After conducting atomic explosions, Pakistan defence became invincible and it shattered into pieces the long-cherished Indian rulers’ dream of ‘One India’. 

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also released a national song in this connection with an aim aimed to highlight the importance of this day.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had announced ten-day celebrations on the completion of 24 years of nuclear tests.

On this occasion, the foreign ministry in its statement said today the nation is observing its 24th anniversary of Pakistan’s nuclear tests conducted in 1998 in response to testing of nuclear weapons by India. The 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.

Pakistan is committed to the promotion of environment of peace and stability in South Asia, while preserving its capability to ward off aggression or adventurism in any form. It is a partner in international efforts to strengthen the global non-proliferation regime based on the principles of non-discrimination and equal security for all states. It adheres to the latest international standards on export controls and maintains highest standards of nuclear safety and security.

Threats to strategic stability in South Asia underscore the importance of Pakistan’s proposal for Strategic Restraint Regime (SRR) which provides for measures for: (i) resolution of outstanding issues, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir; (ii) nuclear and missile restraints; and (iii) conventional balance.

In paying tribute to its scientists, engineers and technicians in ensuring Pakistan’s security, the nation also deeply appreciates the contributions of Pakistan’s nuclear programme to the country’s socio-economic development. Pakistan is employing nuclear technology in pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ranging from energy, water and food security, education, health, agriculture and industry. Nuclear power generation as a source of reliable, clean and affordable alternative to fossil fuels constitutes an important element of Pakistan’s energy security plans. This year, operationalization of second 1100 MWe K-3 Nuclear Power Plant in Karachi marks another milestone, which signifies the role of nuclear science and technology for socio-economic development and welfare of the people of Pakistan.

In the health domain, 20 cancer hospitals being operated across the country by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) bear the bulk of cancer burden in Pakistan. In the field of agriculture, the contributions of nuclear research centers in Pakistan to the development of high yield climate change resistant varieties of crops has been recognized internationally.

The Pakistan Center of Excellence in Nuclear Security (PCENS) is an IAEA-recognized Center of Excellence imparting international trainings in nuclear security. Pakistan also offers fellowships under the IAEA Marie Curie Fellowship programme and has seconded experts to the IAEA in various fields. Pakistan looks forward to further expanding its international collaborations in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and sharing its expertise with other countries including in nuclear regulatory matters.

PM stresses upon unity to attain economic sovereignty  

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Saturday stressed that they would have to move ahead with the same spirit as manifested on Youm-e-Takbir to attain economic sovereignty and self-dependence.

In a message on the silver jubilee celebration of country’s nuclear tests during 1998, the prime minister said the day reminded that for the defence, solidarity and national interests, they would not budge from any sacrifice.

He said the historic day was a clear declaration of ‘no compromise over country’s sovereignty, and defence’.

He underlined that it was a day to get united for the solidarity of the country as it was the main strength of the nation and expressed his determination that with such unity, hard work and staunch faith, they would turn Pakistan into ‘an economic power’.

Today in 1998, PM Nawaz Sharif rejected pressures & inducements in a bold show of leadership & made Pakistan nuclear power of the world. Now we are resolved to turn it into an economic power. My gratitude to all those who helped make our defense invincible.

Youm-e-Takbir Mubarak

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 28, 2022

The prime minister paid tributes to the patriotism of prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who raised the head of Pakistan among the comity of nations with pride, adding the former prime minister had rejected all the pressures and temptations and made Pakistan, the seventh nuclear world power and the first Islamic country possessing nuclear deterrence.

He also lauded Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear programme and also paid rich tributes to all those who had worked during the tenures of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to Nawaz Sharif for making the defence of the country invincible including scientists, engineers and others.

The prime minister said the armed forces of the country had rendered valuable services for the country’s nuclear programme which had been a golden chapter in its history.

He also appreciated Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission that played a vital role in the defence and solidarity of the country, adding that they also remembered Dr Abdul Qadir Khan, (Mohsin e Pakistan) who had spent his whole life serving the country.

The prime minister also expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia and other brotherly and friendly countries that had helped Pakistan during the economic sanctions.

The prime minister said the mountains of Chagi still echoed with the same resolve, and Balochistan province still bore distinction with regard to defence of the country.

The prime minister further stressed that the ten-day celebrations should be dedicated for the nation’s unity and progress and prosperity of the country.

Rana Sanaullah salutes Nawaz Sharif for nuclear tests 

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Saturday that it was on this day 24 years ago that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had shown to the world that Pakistan was a nuclear state, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In his special message on the eve of ‘Yaume Takbeer’, celebrated every year on May 28 in connection with the detonation of nukes by the country in response to nuclear tests by neighbouring India, he said today he saluted former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif for his bold decision to make the country invincible. “It has now been proved that only a brave political leadership could take such courageous steps in the country’s interests,” he said, and added, “Nawaz preferred conducting nuclear tests to taking dollars from the USA, and hence laid down the foundation of the country’s self-sufficiency.” 

Sanaullah went on to say that it was the PML-N which had made Pakistan an atomic power and it would also be the PML-N which would make the country economically prosperous. 

He further said that it was now a proven fact that Pakistan was a responsible nuclear state. “The entire Islamic world also takes pride on Pakistan’s nuclear prowess,” the interior minister added.

Reporter Saud Butt