Daily Times

Pakistani nation is celebrating another Youm-e-Takbir, with the continued blessings of Almighty Allah, on May 28, 2017 marking the country’s becoming nuclear power, the first in the Islamic world and seventh after USA, Soviet Federation (formerly Soviet Union), Britain, France, China and India on this day in 1998. On this historic occasion, every Pakistani is genuinely proud indeed irrespective of his/her political affiliations and considerations whatsoever.

As the country celebrates Youm-e-Takbir, its relations with neighbouring country India remain tense. India is continuously resorting to firing on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir killing innocent, unarmed civilians including women and children and not sparing even officers of the UN Observers Mission, is persisting with her aggressive and threatening gestures and subversive terrorist activities in different parts of Pakistan and Indian Air Chief order to Indian Air Force officers to be ready for action in no time.

Pakistan Armed Forces chiefs have come out with positive equal response sounding a warning to India of being given a befitting reply in case of any adventurism.

And Pakistan being an atomic power is showing utmost restraint in the prevailing tense circumstances and fully seized of its safeguarding and ensuring national security and defence. Pakistan all these years has been telling the world at large that its nuclear assets are for minimum defence deterrent and peaceful purposes and ensuring balance of power in the region.

State of preparedness of the armed forces for the defence of territorial frontiers of the motherland and as a result of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad the terrorists, militants and extremists have been eliminated to a great extent. Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is continuing as the terrorists, militants and extremists keep entering Pakistan from across the borders and carrying out their nefarious activities at the behest of their foreign masters.

A strong defence system, coupled with being the nuclear power, is helping the government of the day in continuing making progress and development and strengthening the national economy with every passing day.

Before going any further, it is pertinent to mention here briefly as to made Pakistan an atomic power in response to India’s continued aggressive and threatening postures.

India had become 6th nuclear power of the world on detonating atomic bomb on May 18, 1974 in Pokhran without much of any reaction from the world at large.

Atomic programme of Pakistan, in all fairness, was initiated by Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who in 1974 had summoned nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan from Holland and told him in plain words “Pakistan needs you”. Mr Bhutto had given the task to all those associated with atomic programme to develop an atomic bomb in three years.

Cutting long story of how Pakistan became an atomic power short, India had carried out atomic bomb detonation second time on May 11, and 13, 1998. For giving a positive and deterrent response to India, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, who was then at the helm of national affairs for the second time, took all important though quite difficult decision in consultations with all concerned and Pakistan carried out atom bomb test firing, five times, on May 28, 1998 in Ras Ko Hills of District Chagai in Balochistan. Test firing for 6th time was carried out on May 30, 1998. The atomic programme was thus started by one elected Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and carried forward to its logical conclusion by another elected Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. The nature had so destined.

Had Zulfikar Ali Bhutto survived and not hanged during military regime of General Muhammad Ziaul Haq, Pakistan would have become an atomic power much earlier than May 1998. Nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan is very much alive to testify this.

As stated above, Pakistan’s being an atomic power and the government ensuring foolproof security and safety of the country’s nuclear assets through an effective control and command system, the enemies inimical to the existence of Pakistan are being kept at bay from indulging in any mischievous plan against Pakistan.

Needless to say that a country makes steady progress and development only in a secure and safe atmosphere due to strong defence system which is helping the PML(N) government in continuing focusing on all spheres economically as well as socially. And, thanks to strong defence and secure environment, that prevails in Pakistan, mega projects in energy, infrastructure and other sectors are being launched and implemented through huge direct foreign investment under the massive China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) umbrella in different parts of the country, its economic progress and growth is getting favourable and supportive reports, with cautious notes here and there, from International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Bloomberg and others.

It is generally said and believed that defence of any country and economic development are inter-related with each. And, this is quite true in case of Pakistan.

Undoubtedly, Pakistan being a sovereign country and an atomic power as well with capability of striking back any foreign aggression has surely contributed a great deal towards maintaining balance of power in the region in the face of India’s persistent hegemonious policies and failed attempts to isolate Pakistan in the comity of nations.

After Pakistan had become an atomic power, May 28 was celebrated every year afterwards more by the public than by the government till PML (N) had come into power again after 2013 elections when this historical achievement and occasion was given quite befitting and appropriate nomenclature of Youm-e-Takbir. Why the previous governments did not celebrate Youm-e-Takbir as enthusiastically as PML(N)’s government is doing for the last couple of years, it is any body’s guess. Pakistani nation will continue celebrating Youm-e-Takbir forever as long as Pakistan exists on the World map for centuries together, Inshallah. Youm-e-Takbir Zindabad. Long Live Pakistan,

The writer is a Lahore-based freelance journalist. He can be reached at zahidriffat@gmail.com