RAWALPINDI – On 28th anniversary of Youm-e-Takbeer, Pakistan’s top military leadership on Thursday sent a strong and unified message to the nation, reaffirming the armed forces’ “unwavering resolve” to defend the country against all internal and external threats, ISPR said.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff, along with Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, extended warm congratulations to the people of Pakistan on the occasion.
The military’s media wing said Youm-e-Takbeer commemorates May 28, 1998 the historic day when Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in Chagai, Balochistan, in response to India’s earlier nuclear explosions, formally emerging as a declared nuclear power and restoring strategic balance in South Asia.
The military leadership described the achievement as a defining national milestone, symbolizing unity, resilience, and an uncompromising commitment to safeguard sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national honour. They credited the success to visionary political leadership, the unmatched contributions of scientists and engineers, and the sacrifices of the armed forces and the Pakistani people.
Calling Pakistan’s strategic capability a “sacred national trust,” ISPR said it continues to serve as a guarantor of peace, stability, and credible deterrence in a volatile regional environment.
Armed forces further pledged that they remain fully prepared and firmly committed to ensuring the country’s security, stability, and future prosperity, reinforcing their stance on national defence in the face of evolving threats.
On the occasion, the military leadership said the nation collectively renews its pledge of unity, vigilance, resilience, and dedication to building a stronger and more prosperous Pakistan.
Recalling history, ISPR noted that Pakistan’s nuclear tests on May 28, 1998 were conducted in direct response to India’s nuclear detonations earlier that month, a move that permanently altered South Asia’s security architecture and established a condition of mutual deterrence between the two rival states.
The nuclear tests conducted in Chagai were carried out in response to India’s earlier explosions, marking the emergence of a mutual deterrence environment between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Pakistani leadership described the decision as a historic assertion of sovereignty taken under intense global pressure, which permanently strengthened national defence and strategic independence.
Officials and defence experts say the 1998 tests created a new security reality in the region, replacing the threat of large-scale conventional war with nuclear deterrence based on assured retaliation. The nuclear programme, developed through decades of effort by Pakistani scientists, engineers, and the PAEC, is being hailed as a cornerstone of national resilience.
Over time, Pakistan’s deterrence doctrine evolved from minimum credible deterrence to full-spectrum deterrence, incorporating advanced tactical capabilities designed to counter evolving military doctrines in the region.
Islamabad continues to view Kashmir, regional security dynamics, and water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty as central to its strategic concerns, while maintaining that credible deterrence is essential for stability in South Asia.
The country also highlights strict nuclear command and control under the National Command Authority, alongside a declared commitment to safety, security, and responsible stewardship of its nuclear assets.
Beyond defence, the nuclear programme is also presented as a key contributor to energy, medical, agricultural, and industrial development, aligned with long-term climate and economic goals.
Referring to recent regional tensions, officials point to the May 2025 India-Pakistan standoff as an example of how deterrence helped prevent escalation, with Pakistan’s integrated military response demonstrating modern operational capability.
‘Deterrence is our strength’: Pakistan’s top brass Hails Nuclear Power Status on Youm-e-Takbeer
