President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in their messages on Youm-e-Takbeer on Thursday, reiterated that Pakistan is a responsible and peace-loving nation that respects international laws and norms, Radio Pakistan reported.

The president, in his message, said the nuclear tests conducted 28 years ago established Pakistan’s deterrence capability and made the country the seventh nuclear power in the world.

Paying tribute to the scientists, engineers and armed forces, he said their dedication, professionalism and patriotism enabled Pakistan to achieve a historic milestone.

He also acknowledged the role of the national leadership and institutions in strengthening the country’s strategic capabilities.

The prime minister, in his message, said the day bears testimony to the fact that the defence of Pakistan, envisioned by Allama Muhammad Iqbal and materialised by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, remains in strong and capable hands.

Describing Youm-e-Takbeer as more than a remembrance of the nuclear tests, he said it symbolises national dignity, sacrifice, unity and an unwavering commitment to the defence of the homeland.

He said Pakistan’s nuclear capability and the preparedness of its armed forces remain a decisive deterrent against enemy aggression.

Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, on behalf of the Armed Forces of Pakistan, extended heartfelt felicitations to the proud people of Pakistan on the 28th anniversary of Youm-e-Takbeer.

They said this defining milestone symbolises the nation’s unity, resilience and unwavering commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national honour.

The statement said Pakistan’s strategic capability remains a sacred national trust and a guarantor of peace, stability, territorial integrity and credible deterrence in the region.

It said the Armed Forces of Pakistan reaffirm their unwavering resolve to defend the motherland against all threats and remain committed to ensuring the security, stability and prosperity of the nation.

Read: In pictures: Muslims across the world celebrate Eidul Azha

Youm-e-Takbeer is being observed today in remembrance of the nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan on May 28, 1998, which made the defence of the country invincible.

On this day, Pakistan became the seventh nuclear nation in the world and the first Muslim state to possess a nuclear arsenal in its defence stockpile.

The team of Pakistani scientists, led by the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, and Dr Samar Mubarakmand, carried out the nuclear tests in the RasKoh Hills in the Chaghai District of Balochistan.

These tests not only demonstrated the resolve of the Pakistani nation to safeguard Pakistan’s territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty, but also reflected the desire to preserve strategic balance in South Asia.

By resisting mounting external pressure, the then former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, made the decision to test the Pakistani nukes in response to the Indian nuclear tests, thus balancing the strategic power equation in the region.

Pakistan is committed to promoting an environment of peace and stability in South Asia, while preserving its capability to thwart aggression or adventurism in any form.