By Agha Iqrar Haroon
Pakistan is celebrating 27th Youm-e-Takbeer today, commemorating the day when Pakistan emerged as a nuclear power on May 28, 1998. Credible information is available that Pakistan already made a nuclear bomb by 1984-85, but it had to wait more than 14 years to show the world that it is a nuclear power. This delibrate delay was by choice of the then all powerful late Gen Ziaul Haq who had been focal person of US in the region defeating former Soviet Union in Afghan Jihad and he did not want annoy United States because because he knew that India, Israel and Zionist lobby would not pardon him if he would make Pakistan a nuclear power. Historians can not avoid saluting at least three persons while writing a historical account of Pakistan, and they are late Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto, Mian Nawaz Sharif (civilian side), and COAS Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir (military side).
Mian Nawaz Sharif and Syed Asim Munir testified that they are afraid of only Allah and take guidance from the Holy Quran, using Quranic dictions while taking on arch-rival India. Pakistan’s simple story is a “Tale from ‘Youm-e-Takbir’ to ‘Marqa-e-Haq”. Both, while believing in Allah, took the decision fearlessly, forgetting the world’s reactions.
Nevertheless, Zia’s role in continuing the project started by the late Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (who was hanged to death in 1979) should be respected in history. Some background interviews with nuclear scientists suggest that in early 1988 when Ziaul Haq got information that “his role is over”, he planned to go for nuclear test but it was already too late for him and his close allies such as Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Mirza Aslam Beg Vice Chief of Army Staff, the then Foreign Minister Zain Noorani (He was in office from November 1987 until his death in December 1992) and the then US Ambassador in Pakistan Arnold L. Raphel (who was killed along with Zia in C-130 crash), suggested Ziaul Haq to refrain from annoying US as they were trying to fix Zia’s relations with US establishment.
After the death of Ziaul Haq in C-130 crash, Pakistan decided aggressively working in missile technology and the then Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had been proactive in this strategic shift but Pakistan continued to work on ‘finishing goods and value addition” of nuclear program and same strategic move continued till the date Pakistan conducted nuclear test—working siminteniously on missile as well as nuclear technology because Pakistan knew that strategic balance in South Asia was a must to survive and for asserting its sovereign right to self-defence and pursuit for a dignified and peaceful existence.
The events between May 11, 1998 (when India tested), and May 28, when Pakistan responded have been documented by several politicians, scientists and nuclear experts having their interests to explain what Pakistan’s political and military leadership were thinking, therefore there is no need to explain who claimed what and books are available for further reading on these 18 days backdrop activities. I was serving in the Government of Pakistan as Media Consultant (1997-2000) and had access to watch backstage events
However, there is no iota left that it was the sole decision of the political leadership of the country supported by the military leadership of the then Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Jehangir Karamat. Some of close allies of Mian Nawaz Sharif, such as Sartaj Aziz and Ch Nisar, were opposing a response to Indian tests, while Mushahid Hussain Syed, Pervaiz Rasheed, Ishaq Dar, and Kh Asif were in favour of ‘not wasting time’. Mian Nawaz Sharif in one of his public talks categorically said that it was Mushahid Hussain Syed who was first to ask Mian Nawaz Sharif and who was the first to suggest that Mian Nawaz to “go for a responsible power show”. While Nawaz Sharif said in a public talk that Mushahid Hussain Syed was the first person to advise on nuclear tests.
When Mushahid Hussain Syed was asked to share what happened during the critical days before Pakistan tested its nuclear power, he said:
“On May 11, 1998, Mian Sahib (the then-PM Mian Nawaz Sharif) and I were in Kazakhstan for a summit. It had just ended, and we were trekking in the hills around Almaty when we got the shocking news that India had tested the bomb. When Nawaz asked my opinion, I said: “Mian Sahib, it’s now or never. India has provided us a golden opportunity; we should go for the blast.”
Syed, a journalist by profession and a political figure, is known for his nationalistic views and support for the idea of nuclear weapon testing even before joining Nawaz’s cabinet as Federal Minister for Information. The story goes on, and Pakistan conducted its first public tests of nuclear weapons on May 28, 1998, codenamed Chagai-I, and followed with Chagai-II on May 30, 1998. The planning and execution were meticulous, messaging was mature and reasoned, minus any jingoism or even a hint of any triumphalism. This event can be documented as the most important national security decision in the history of Pakistan when purely a civilian decision taken by the elected political leadership Mushahid in one of his articles (published in 2022) claimed that “among the three service chiefs, one was opposed, one supported and the third was neutral, saying “Sir, it is your decision”.
In all 15 years of work, Dr A.Q. Khan and his talented team continued working on the project without any political pressures, and finally, Mian Nawaz Sharif emerged on the scene as a person who could imagine the consequences of conducting nuclear tests, but he did it. By October 1999, he, along with his hawks such as Mushahid Hussain Syed, were jailed, and on 31 January 2004, Dr A.Q. Khan was dismissed from his services, spent thereafter the rest of his life within the walls of his residence till his death on 10 October 2021, at the age of 85.
Today, we have seen that Pakistan’s strategic capability is a national trust, reflecting the collective aspirations of its people and all those who contributed for Youm-e-Takbeer should be appreciated including visionary leaderships, the brilliance of scientists and engineers, and the countless contributions of all those who rendered Pakistan’s defence unassailable and faced a dust licking defeat on May 10-11 during Marka-e-Haq because events confirmed that Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity is linked with our doctrine of credible minimum deterrence, rooted in the principle of maintaining peace and strategic stability in the region. The Armed Forces of Pakistan, under the leadership of COAS Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, reiterate their unflinching resolve to defend the motherland against all threats across the full spectrum of conflict. As responsible custodians of the nation’s strategic assets, the Pakistan Armed Forces reaffirmed on May 28, 2025, that nuclear capability remains solely for defensive purposes and stands as a guarantor of peace.
On May 28, 2025, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif released an impressive and thoughtful message to the nation that also fixed several factual errors that had deliberately been added in our history books. He said:
“I thank Allah Almighty and extend my heartfelt greetings to the entire nation and those who love Pakistan on the occasion of Youm-e-Takbir. Today, Pakistan has completed 27 years of becoming the seventh nuclear power in the world and the first among Muslim countries. Alhamdulillah. Pakistan is celebrating ‘Youm-e-Takbir’ on an important and historic occasion when, in the unjustified war imposed by India, Pakistan emerged victorious and victorious in the battle of truth from May 6 to 10, by the grace and mercy of Allah Almighty. The joys of Youm-e-Takbir have further increased for a nation filled with victory, for which we prostrate ourselves in the presence of the Almighty God, who has always honored the Pakistani nation with His special grace. In May 1998, India created a challenge for the security, defense, and sovereignty of Pakistan by carrying out five nuclear explosions in Pokhran. My leader and the then Prime Minister, Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, represented the aspirations and national interests of the entire nation, disregarding economic sanctions, pressure, threats and greed, and on this day in 1998, Pakistan had made a nuclear country by carrying out six explosions compared to India’s five and had made its geographical borders impregnable forever. The Pakistani nation, from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to Nawaz Sharif, who brought this program to completion, will always remember them in golden letters. The voice of Allahu Akbar rising from the mountains of Chagai in Balochistan is still echoing as a pledge of the Pakistani nation. The entire Pakistan was united for this purpose. This glorious tradition was repeated once again by the nation against the recent unjustified attacks by India. On today’s great day, I salute all the architects of this program, including the founders of the nuclear program, Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, scientists, engineers, the Pakistani army, and national institutions, who played a historic role in making Pakistan’s defense impregnable. I salute the nation, which made immense sacrifices for the completion of the nuclear program and wrote a proud story of its determination and faith. I also pay tribute to our armed forces, who have fully protected Pakistan’s nuclear assets. Youm-e-Takbir is a continuation of the era of the Muslims of the subcontinent under the inspiring leadership of the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, under which a great God-given state like Pakistan came into being. National history is a witness that the people and political leadership of Pakistan, with their iron will and our brave armed forces, with their courage, bravery, and military prowess, have always made the impossible possible. The passion to move forward in every field of life and to achieve the goal by overcoming the most serious difficulties is the real strength of Pakistan. Youm-e-Takbir is a day of unity of the nation and a declaration of non-compromise on our freedom and sovereignty. Today, we pledge to make Pakistan an economic power and its true place in the world. Insha Allah, Long live Pakistan”.
The nation is celebrating this event within 17 days of Marqa-e-Haq when Pakistan Army defeated the Indian hegemony in the region and Indian’s arrogance had to lick dust. The game is not over because we are dealing with a dangerous adversary who does not believe in any rule of humanity, and its pride is badly hurt. It will try to get even with us, sooner than later, but it is also afraid of our nuclear deterrence, our strong armed forces, and the public that stood like a Galena Wall with armed forces when Indian drones were flying on Pakistan’s skies. The impressive military performance of the Pakistan Army has become a part of war history, but we need to move on to anticipate India’s next steps. I don’t think India will try another military adventure shortly because it knows that it cannot defeat the Pakistan Army in battle-ground. So, what options are left to India?
New Delhi’s resounding defeat has also been in the diplomatic arena. Its hubris had carried India to seventh heaven. But they have suffered a big fall. They feel particularly let down by the United States, which may have seen Indian action as uncalled for if not reckless. So, rather than embarking on another military adventure with an uncertain diplomatic outcome, the Indians may have decided to launch a diplomatic offensive instead. This is evident from the armada of delegations they have sent all over the world. We all know it will focus on allegations of terrorism against Pakistan. The Indians made the same mistake as late Gen (retd) Musharraf did in the Kargil misadventure when he did not foresee the negative international reaction. Indians now want to make sure that if they have to have another military round against Pakistan, they must prepare the diplomatic ground first. And if diplomacy succeeds, there may not be a need for a military action, which, Indians must have realized by now, remains risky militarily and uncertain diplomatically.
I know it is a sensitive topic to discuss, but I remain concerned about the next False Flag (terrorist attack) that India would stage later or sooner. I know the government is working well to sensitize world forums about this possibility, but this factor needs constant media flow, particularly in English medium media, because any mishandling of any Indian False flag will give a tremendous boost to India’s diplomatic efforts. So much so that a military action by India may not be necessary, we should not therefore be complacent in thinking that our befitting military response has nullified India’s threat.
Pakistan Hamesha Zindabad Rahay
