Youm-e-Takbeer, or the “Day of Greatness” celebrated on 28th May, announces a major change in the strategic security position of Pakistan by becoming a nuclear power. All thanks to the efforts of scientists from the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Pakistan conducted 5 Nuclear tests in Chaghi district of Balochistan, as a response to India’s nuclear tests (Pokhran I-II) conducted in 1974 and on May 11 and 13, 1998. One can argue that this response was predictable after India resorted to nuclear explosions because Pakistan had traditionally labelled its nuclear policy with that of India. Pakistan was left with no choice, as India’s explosions had created a zero-sum situation for Pakistan.
Pakistan has to deter its potential adversary, India, from carrying out preventive strikes against its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
India’s aspiration for military superiority in South Asia compelled Pakistan to gradually drift towards nuclearization. Pakistan had to maintain credible minimum deterrence, which highlighted the necessity to improve its nuclear and conventional military capabilities to retain strategic balance and broader strategic stability. Pakistan has to deter its potential adversary, India, from carrying out preventive strikes against its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
After the military debacle in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, Pakistan decided to work toward building a nuclear weapon capability in 1972. However, Pakistan had not yet acquired nuclear technology for deterrence before India’s first nuclear test in May 1974, which marked a significant turning point. It convinced Pakistan of the imperative to acquire nuclear weapons. India’s test additionally rewarded them with increased advantage in conventional force, while further adding pressure on Pakistan’s efforts to preserve a broad equilibrium with India and neutralize the Indian nuclear threat.
In January 1987, Indian journalist Kuldip Nayar claimed that in an interview, Pakistan’s leading nuclear scientist, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, told him that Pakistan had acquired nuclear weapons capability. Following this revelation, Indian politicians started provoking Pakistan and gave harsh comments. To illustrate, then Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Madan Lal Khurana started asserting immense pressure on Pakistan to understand that India was now a nuclear weapons power and declared that “if Pakistan wanted to fight another war with us, they should tell us the place and time, as we are ready for that.” Similarly, the BJP’s spokesman, K. L. Sharma, issued an equally strident statement, warning that Pakistan would have to face “India’s wrath” if Pakistan continued with its “anti-India policy.”
“Gentlemen, I come in friendship, but we in the East do not measure our relationship in planes and tanks. You can keep our F16s and our money. Our national security is non-negotiable.”
The world played its role to stop Pakistan from acquiring nuclear weapons. The United States imposed economic and military sanctions on Pakistan regarding the nuclear issue in 1990. As a result, the United States embargoed a wide range of military equipment, including 28 F-16s that Pakistan had paid for. In a meeting with the top US military and State Department officials, Pakistan’s army chief at the time, General Waheed Kakar, was offered to release all Pakistani equipment’s including the planes, if Pakistan agreed to freeze its nuclear Programme and allow a one-time inspection to verify a cap on enrichment in April 1994. To this, General patiently replied, “Gentlemen, I come in friendship, but we in the East do not measure our relationship in planes and tanks. You can keep our F16s and our money. Our national security is non-negotiable.”
Pakistan faced countless obstacles in its nuclear journey.
Maleeha Lodhi, who was Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington and an attendee at the gathering, comments on this stance as “one example of how resolutely and uncompromisingly Pakistan maintained its position on an issue vital to its security.” If Pakistan had not done so and surrendered to international pressure, it would not have acquired the nuclear capability, which is and has been the guarantor of the country’s security today.
Pakistan faced countless obstacles in its nuclear journey. It braved Western embargoes, sanctions, additionally, US opposition, and unrelenting international pressure.
Motivated by strategic security concerns and related statements, Pakistan ultimately conducted its nuclear test in 1998 following India’s second test that same year. Chagai-I is the code name of five simultaneous underground nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan on 28 May 1998. This development made Pakistan the seventh nuclear power in the world and the first Muslim-majority country to possess nuclear weapons.
This step became a hurdle in India’s aspiration to become a regional hegemon.
This advancement was much needed by Pakistan as its adversary, India, is much larger in all aspects, and Pakistan needs to maintain its deterrence. A sizable number of people in Pakistan believed that India would use its nuclear status to pressure Pakistan to accept India’s perspectives on the regional issues, and especially on India-Pakistan disputes. Pakistan never aimed for regional hegemony, in contrary wanted to maintain credible minimum deterrence for national security and strategic stability. The achievement of nuclear capability not only strengthens Pakistan’s defense capability but also ensures strategic stability and balance of power in South Asia. This step became a hurdle in India’s aspiration to become a regional hegemon.
It is a proud moment for Pakistan, symbolizing security strength, national pride, and unity to make Pakistan a state that enemies cannot lay their eyes on.
28th May is celebrated to honor the determination and bravery of all those who made efforts for Pakistan’s safety through nuclear capability. This day reflects on the principle of sovereignty and self-reliance in terms of security and integrity of the state. It is a proud moment for Pakistan, symbolizing security strength, national pride, and unity to make Pakistan a state that enemies cannot lay their eyes on. The story of Pakistan’s pursuit of a nuclear capability is worth recalling, reminding ourselves of the daunting challenges that were faced. Because of the exceptional efforts of those who built Pakistan’s nuclear capability, its security is assured against a full-fledged war by India. Pakistan Zindabad.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.
