BY Pulse Pakistan | May 28, 2025
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan is marking Youm-e-Takbeer (Day of Greatness) today, a national holiday commemorating a turning point in the country’s defense history—the day it emerged as the world’s seventh nuclear power and the first in the Muslim world.
On May 28, 1998, Pakistan stunned the world by successfully conducting five underground nuclear tests in the rugged Ras Koh Hills of Chagai District, Balochistan. The operation, known as Chagai-I, was a direct and strategic response to India’s Pokhran-II tests earlier that month.
Just two days later, on May 30, the country followed up with an additional test, Chagai-II, reinforcing its nuclear deterrence capabilities.
These bold steps came at a high cost—Pakistan faced immediate international backlash, including UN Security Council Resolution 1172 and economic sanctions from several Western nations, notably the United States and Japan. But for Pakistanis, the tests symbolized resilience, sovereignty, and an unshakable commitment to national defense.
The nuclear program is widely credited to Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Pakistan’s legendary nuclear scientist, whose efforts earned him the status of a national hero and a household name.
This year, as the nation observes the 27th anniversary of this milestone, the timing is particularly significant. The commemoration comes just days after the Pakistan Armed Forces successfully carried out “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos”, a measured military response to unprovoked Indian aggression targeting civilians.
For many, the day is not just a celebration of technological achievement—it’s a reaffirmation of Pakistan’s resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and uphold regional peace through credible deterrence.
