Nation commemorates Youme Takbeer with zeal, fervour

The nation is today commemorating the 27th anniversary of Youm-e-Takbeer, the day Pakistan showed to the world it had nukes, with zeal and fervour, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday. 

Through the detonation of nukes in Chagai, Balochistan on May 28, 1998, Pakistan became the Islamic world’s first and the world’s seventh nuclear power.

Pakistani scientists then thanked the Almighty Allah and shouted Allah-o-Akbar. 

Six nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan in response to five by India proved that the country's defence was now invincible and that it would never compromise on its sovereignty. 

Since 1998, Pakistan has successfully conducted tests of missiles like Abdali, Ghauri, Shaheen, Raad, Babar, Ghaznavi, Ababeel, Fatah and Burraq due to which it is far more secure than it was in 1998. 

Today is a public holiday in the country as special functions will be held in connection with the day at which the defenders of the country will be paid tributes.  

President Zardari’s message

In his message in connection with the day, President Asif Ali Zardari has felicitated the nation and renewed the resolve to defend the country’s sovereignty. 

He has said that Pakistan does not want war. “Pakistan believes in mutual coexistence and adheres to international law,” the president has added.

PM Shehbaz’s message

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, has paid tributes to the late prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, nuclear scientist late Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, scientists and engineers.

He has also saluted the country’s armed forces for defending the nuclear installation. 

He has also said that it was former prime minister Nawaz Sharif during whose tenure nuclear tests were conducted.

The prime minister has said it is a matter of great pleasure that Pakistan emerged triumphant in the war against India.  

Punjab CM Maryam’s message

In her message, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz felicitated the nation on the day and said it is because of this day that 27 years have passed, but the nation still feels proud.

Nawaz Sharif congratulates nation on Youme Takbeer

Former prime minister and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif too has congratulated the nation on Youme Takbeer.

Bilawal Bhutto's message in connection with day

In his message in connection with the day, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has saluted those due to whose efforts Pakistan became a nuclear power and which ultimately made the country's defence impregnable. "On this day, I pay tributes to the scientists, engineers, the armed forces and the visionary political leadership which together made Pakistan a nuclear state," he added.

Bilawal, especially, mentioned the name of late prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who decided to initiate the nuclear programme despite opposition by the world powers. "27 years ago, on this day, we showed to the world that we can never compromise on our sovereignty."    

Functions will be held in different towns and cities to mark the day.

As elsewhere in the country, Youme Takbeer is also being commemorated in Takht Bahi.

Talking to the 24News TV channel, family members of Pakistan Air Force’s senior technician Muhammad Ayaz, who had been martyred in a recent military confrontation with India, have said that they are proud of him and also of the armed forces.

Besides Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, functions will also be held in smaller cities like Sukkur, Multan, Jafarabad and others.  

Reporters: Malik Rehman, Junaid Anwar and Ahmad Mansoor