PM Shehbaz Links Youm-i-Takbeer to National Unity
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday used his Youm-i-Takbeer message to frame Pakistan’s nuclear milestone as a symbol of national strength, sovereignty and unity, as the country marked the 28th anniversary of the 1998 Chagai nuclear tests.
In his message, the prime minister said May 28 remained one of the most decisive moments in Pakistan’s history because it demonstrated the country’s ability to protect its independence despite intense external pressure. He linked the anniversary to Pakistan’s broader defence posture and said the country’s strategic capability continued to serve as a deterrent in South Asia.
Shehbaz said Pakistan’s nuclear tests were carried out after India’s nuclear explosions, arguing that Islamabad’s response restored regional balance and showed that national security would not be compromised. He also highlighted the role of political leadership, scientists, engineers, armed forces personnel and workers who contributed to the nuclear programme.
The prime minister paid tribute to former prime ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, as well as nuclear scientists including Abdul Qadeer Khan and Samar Mubarakmand. He said the leadership of the time had resisted sanctions, threats and inducements in order to safeguard Pakistan’s defence and sovereignty.
President Asif Ali Zardari also issued a message on the anniversary, describing Youm-i-Takbeer as a defining chapter in Pakistan’s strategic history. He said the tests at Chagai ensured the country’s territorial integrity and strengthened its ability to respond to regional security challenges.
The president noted that Pakistan’s nuclear programme had evolved in response to India’s strategic ambitions and that successive governments faced pressure from abroad while pursuing national security goals. He said Pakistan’s deterrence capability remained a trust held on behalf of the people and a reminder of the country’s collective resolve.
The armed forces also reaffirmed their commitment to defending Pakistan against all threats. In a statement issued through the military’s media wing, the country’s top military leadership said the 1998 tests represented unity, resilience and an enduring commitment to protect sovereignty, territorial integrity and national honour.
The anniversary comes at a time when Pakistan’s leadership is again placing emphasis on modern security challenges, including cyber warfare, drones, artificial intelligence and proxy threats. Both civilian and military leaders linked national defence not only to strategic weapons but also to institutional preparedness, technological adaptation and public unity.
For Pakistan, Youm-i-Takbeer remains more than a ceremonial observance. It is used by successive governments to reinforce the idea that national security, political resolve and scientific capability are central to the country’s standing in the region.
The coming days are expected to see further official messaging around national unity, defence preparedness and internal stability, especially as Pakistan continues to navigate regional tensions and evolving security threats while presenting itself as a responsible nuclear state.