The day of greatness, Pakistan marks the 22nd anniversary of its nuclear tests today with great zeal and fervor. May 28 is celebrated as Youm-e-Takbeer across the country every year with great enthusiasm.

The day marks the country’s success to make its way to the global nuclear club and it is also celebrated as National Science Day to highlight Pakistan’s achievements in the field of science. Pakistan became the seventh nation to possess nuclear weapons and the first in the Muslim world.

On this day in 1998, Pakistan conducted five successful nuclear tests in the north-western Chaghi district of Balochistan in reply to continued aggressive posturing by its neighbor, India.

Incidentally, it was Thursday and today is again Thursday. Later, Nawaz Sharif who was prime minister of the country at that time and ordered for the response to Indian tests despite international pressure including one came from US President Bill Clinton.

The Youm-e-Takbeer signifies that Pakistan did not want nuclear proliferation and it has achieved nuclear capability in response to the direct aggression and fulminations from Indian. Pakistan was compelled to develop a nuclear weapon program under the nuclear scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan following the debacle of East Pakistan in 1971 and India’s first nuclear tests in 1974, code-named Pokhran-I.

Despite getting nuclear capability, Pakistan has always advocated for a South Asia free of nuclear weapons while showing its steadfast commitment to non-proliferation and global peace.

Pakistan’s scientific achievements continue to keep India at bay, promoting peace and stability. Today is the moment we should recall the efforts and sacrifices made to make Pakistan a great country.