ISLAMABAD: Yaum-e-Takbeer was observed today across the country with renewed pledge to that no compromise will be made on country's defence and integrity.
Pakistan carried out nuclear tests on this day in 1998 in response to Indian nuclear explosions, making defence of the motherland impregnable.
Special prayers were offered in the morning for progress and prosperity of the country and eradication of terrorism.
Different events are being held at the government as well as private level to highlight importance of the day.
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said country's defence is in safe hands and no one could dare to cast an evil eye on it. Addressing the oath taking ceremony of office-bearers of Sialkot Press Club, he said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had made Pakistan a nuclear power ignoring the international pressure.
About the prevailing security situation, he said despite internal and external threats Pakistan has made several successes against terrorism. He said the government is committed to weed out terrorism from the country.
He said Zarb-e-Azb operation will continue till the elimination of last terrorist.
Khawaja Asif said the US drone attack was not the failure of Pakistan's foreign policy. The attack adversely and these affected the efforts for peace in Afghanistan
He said Pakistan will continue its efforts to establish a durable peace in Afghanistan. He asked both the United State and Afghanistan to show their sincerity in establishing durable peace.
Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif detonated atomic bomb despite immense international pressure.
Talking to workers convention in Muzaffarabad on the occasion of Yaum-e- Takbeer, he said only brave leader can take courageous decisions.
Information Minster said Nawaz Sharif can't be bribed or bowed. He said the Prime Minister made the decision to safeguard security and uphold prestige of the country.
Senior PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz Sharif has said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has taken a bold, courageous and timely decision of conducting nuclear explosion, making Pakistan’s defense invincible.
He was addressing a ceremony held in Lahore in connection with the 18th Yaum-e-Takbeer.
The PML-N leader said the international community offered billions of dollars to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in exchange of not carrying out nuclear explosions, however, he turned down it and preferred the defense and prestige of the country.
He said that Imran Khan should see his left and right before levelling allegation on others.
Hamza Shahbaz said that if the accountability is conducted, everyone should be included in it. He said that the law and order situation is improving day by day in Karachi and the incidents of kidnapping for ransom, extortion and target killing have declined significantly.
Addressing a Yaum-e-Takbeer function in Lahore, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said the government is taking every step to take Pakistan forward on the road to progress and prosperity.
He said the nuclear tests had made the country's defence impregnable. These tests were conducted in the best interest of the country, despite enormous international pressure.
Addressing a function in connection with Youm-e-Takbeer in Faisalabad, the speakers said the nuclear explosions laid the foundation for prosperous Pakistan.
In her address, PML-N leader Senator Nuzhat Sadiq said Youm-e-Takbeer was indeed a day of pride for the Pakistani nation and the Muslims across the globe. Yaum-e-Takbeer was also celebrated in Sindh including Karachi. In connection with Youm-e-Takbeer, a public gathering was held at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Peshawar this evening.
Addressing the gathering, PML-leaders including Pir Sabir Shah, Rahmat Salam Khattak and others in their speeches said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif rejected all offers and conducted the tests for defence of the motherland and raising heads of the nation.
They said Pakistan is a peace loving country and wants peaceful co-existence and brotherly relationship with all neighbouring countries.
PML(N) leaders said atomic programme of Pakistan is for self-defence and it has no aggressive design against any country.
A large number of people thronged to the venue and raised slogans in favour of nuclear tests for the stability of the country.
In a statement, Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Sanaullh Khan Zehri said Youm-e-Takbeer is an important day which turned Pakistan into the first Islamic nuclear power.
He said India carried out nuclear explosions in 1998 to get supremacy in the region. However, Pakistan shattered its dreams and foiled nefarious design of India.
In Balochistan Yaum-e-Takbeer was also observed with national spirit and enthusiasm as elsewhere in the country.
Political and other organizations several functions held to mark the day.
Addressing a ceremony in which Deputy Mayor Quetta Younas Baloch said that at that time the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took bold decision and make country’s defence stronger.
Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai in a statement congratulating the nation he urged the nation to play their role for the development and prosperity of the country.