May 28: It’s public holiday today

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared a public holiday on May 28 to commemorate Youm-e-Takbeer, the day Pakistan’s defence became impenetrable following nuclear tests in the hills of Chagai, Balochistan.

Youm-e-Takbeer reminds the Pakistani population of the need of unity in ensuring the country’s defense, according to a statement issued by the PM House.

He stated that on this day in 1998, the entire nation vowed to fight for the country’s integrity and would not compromise by accepting any external pressure on national defense.

He stated that Youm-e-Takbeer was a day for renewing the vow to always oppose the evil schemes of both external and domestic foes who seek to damage the country through chaotic politics.

“This is also a day to pay appreciation to the actions taken by then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan Army to strengthen the national defense.

Youm-e-Takbeer will be zealously honored tomorrow (Tuesday) in remembrance of the nuclear tests conducted on May 28, 1998, which rendered the country’s defense impenetrable.

The day marked Pakistan’s status as the world’s seventh nuclear power and the first Muslim state to have a nuclear weapons in its defense stockpile to provide maximum deterrent for peaceful purposes.

Resisting rising external pressures, then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made the daring decision to test Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, therefore balancing strategic slanting power in the region.