28th May is observed in Pakistan as Yaum-e-Takbeer. This day, Pakistan became the seventh nuclear country of the world. 
    The strength of a nation lies in the unity of its people, and its capability to deter any kind of attack on its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Since Pakistan came into being, its existence has been threatened by arch rival India that imposed many wars on us, and has continuously been trying to destabilize Pakistan.

   Together the Pakistani nation and its Armed Forces have successfully defended the homeland against any kind of hostility and aggression by the enemy. Pakistan has also tried to maintain the balance of power by upgrading its war machinery and modernizing its weaponry. This balance of power tilted in the enemy’s favour when India announced, in 1974, to go nuclear. In response, Pakistan vowed that it would never accept Indian hegemony, and would never succumb to a nuclear blackmail. So, Pakistan started its own indigenous nuclear program, and soon succeeded in making the atom bomb.
    When India conducted five underground nuclear tests at Pokhran on May 11 and 13, 1998, Pakistan in a surprise tit-for-tat move, conducted five nuclear tests at Chaghi, in Balochistan province, on May 28, 1998, and an additional test on May 30. The nuclear tests made Pakistan the seventh nation in the world to hold nuclear weapons, and the first and only country in the Muslim world.
    After the successful nuclear tests, the people of Pakistan rejoiced this historic moment with utmost joy and national fervour. The young ones came out dancing in the streets. The elders distributed sweets and offered nawafil thanking Allah Almighty for giving Pakistan such an honour and status. At the site of nuclear tests, the Pakistani scientists chanted “Allah-o-Akbar” in excitement, and in gratitude to the Almighty. 
    Now, every year, that proud moment is celebrated across Pakistan with national zeal. No doubt, it was a historic moment which not only equated the balance of power in the region but also made the country seventh nuclear nation of the world. It also made clear that Pakistan would never compromise on its sovereignty and that it would go to any extent while facing the challenges posed by our enemies. 
Yaum-e-Takbeer
How ‘Yaum-e-Takbeer’ became the name of 28th May, and what was the significance of this name is an interesting story to know. At the occasion of first anniversary of nuclear tests, a nationwide survey was conducted to suggest a suitable name for this particular day. People came out with different names suggesting for 28th May. Finally, the name “Yaum-e-Takbeer” was chosen, which was suggested by a majority of people. “Yaum-e-Takbeer” means “the Day of God’s Greatness”. For Muslims, the chant “Allah-o-Akbar” is called Takbeer that means “Allah is the Greatest”. In war, “Allah-o-Akbar” is the most powerful chant that sends tremors through the enemy’s spine.
    So, every year we commemorate Yaum-e-Takbeer as a day of remembrance. We pay homage to the resolve and commitment of our leadership, and dedication of our scientists and engineers, who left no stone unturned and worked hard day and night for making Pakistan a nuclear nation. Without their professional capability and excellence, and without their restless efforts, the achievement of nuclear deterrence for peaceful purposes though would not have been a possibility. 
    Yaum-e-Takbeer is therefore not just another national day, but it is a day when we resolve to keep the defence of motherland above everything.