May 28, 1998, is a memorable day in in thPakistan’s history that the nation celebrates as Youm-e-Takbeer. It was the day when Pakistan successfully conducted nuclear testse mountains of Chagai, sending a clear message to the world that it possessed the capability to defend its sovereignty, independence, and national security. This historic achievement made Pakistan the first Muslim nuclear nation and world’s seventh nuclear power. The story of Pakistan becoming a nuclear power is also quite fascinating. Several days after India conducted its nuclear tests in early May 1998, Pakistan had not yet responded with nuclear test. At that time, India’s Home Minister, L.K. Advani, mocked Pakistan by saying that Pakistanis should “walk with their heads bowed in shame” because their claims of nuclear capability had proven false. The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was under intense pressure. On one hand, Pakistan faced the prospect of international sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and severe economic consequences if it conduct nuclear tests. On the other hand, U.S. President Bill Clinton was offering billions of dollars in incentives if Pakistan refrained from nuclear testing. In such circumstances, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s courageous decision to proceed with the nuclear tests made Pakistan the world’s seventh nuclear power, shattered India’s sense of superiority, and permanently altered the strategic balance in the region. Pakistan demonstrated to the world that when a nation commits itself to achieving nuclear capability, no obstacle is considered insurmountable. Following the nuclear tests, a journalist asked President Bill Clinton whether Pakistan’s decision to conduct the tests despite threats and pressure from US and other major powers was justified. Clinton replied, “If I were Pakistan’s leader, I would have made the same decision.”
The credit for making Pakistan a nuclear power goes to three personalities, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and Nawaz Sharif, all of whom are regarded as national heroes. Bhutto laid the foundation of Pakistan’s nuclear program and famously declared that the nation would “eat grass if necessary, but would build the atomic bomb.” Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan brought the nuclear program to completion, while Nawaz Sharif, despite immense international pressure, authorized the nuclear tests that transformed Pakistan into a nuclear state and ensured its security. Among these heroes, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan are no longer with us. Living nations always remember their heroes and never forget their contributions. Ideally, we should have honored these three figures who made Pakistan a nuclear power. Unfortunately, our record of repaying our heroes is not admirable. The founder of the nuclear program, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was executed. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, often referred to as “Mohsin-e-Pakistan”, was humiliated during Musharraf era and spent his final years in distress before passing away. I had a close relationship with Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, and he often spoke about the unfair treatment he had endured. Nawaz Sharif, who conducted the nuclear tests, is fortunately still among us. However, treatment he received is irony and part of history. A year and a half after the nuclear tests, former military ruler Pervez Musharraf overthrew Nawaz Sharif’s elected government, arrested him, and presented him in Karachi’s Anti-Terrorism Court in handcuffs. Later, during Imran Khan government, when Nawaz Sharif was imprisoned in Adiala Jail and his wife, Kulsoom Nawaz, was taking her final breaths in London, he was denied to speak with her by telephone. Kulsoom Nawaz passed away without hearing her husband’s voice in last moment. Thus, the nation repaid the contributions of this hero during his lifetime.
On the occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer, an old statement by Imran Khan given to a foreign TV has viral on social media. In the interview, Imran Khan stated that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program was merely a defensive nuclear deterrent and that if the Kashmir dispute were resolved between Pakistan and India, than there is no need for such deterrent. Earlier, during an official visit to United States while he was Prime Minister, Imran Khan had also stated that both Pakistan and India should eventually abandon nuclear weapons. These statements suggest a willingness to compromise on Pakistan’s nuclear program in exchange for external pressure relief or substantial financial assistance.
On Youm-e-Takbeer, we should not only thank Almighty ALLAH but also pay tribute to the great national heroes whose efforts, vision, and courageous decisions made Pakistan a nuclear power. This was no ordinary achievement; it was the realization of a dream that Pakistan’s leadership transformed into reality despite immense international pressure through courage and wisdom. The example of Iran is a reminder of the challenges faced by countries pursuing nuclear capabilities, Iran has suffered destruction due to war imposed by United States and Israel. Even today, Pakistan’s nuclear assets are not entirely free from threats, and hostile powers such as Israel and India are engaged in efforts against Pakistan’s nuclear program. However, there is confidence that Pakistan’s national security institutions will never allow such forces to succeed in their evil intentions. Youm-e-Takbeer reminds us that we have achieved a great national milestone, and we must always remain vigilant to safeguard it.
