ON 28 May 1998 Pakistan detonated six nuclear devices in response to India's nuclear explosions. The day is a source of jubilation and honour for every Pakistani. The fact that the country is the seventh nuclear state and the only one in the Islamic world is yet another element that should make us proud. The situation back in South Asia in 1998 was tense, to say the least, as India, after detonating its nuclear devices, started threatening us by brandishing its nuclear sword. It seemed as if it wanted to go on war with us. There were many within the Indian power circles saying that it was the right time to invade Pakistan and undo the Partition. But Pakistan answered in a befitting manner by conducting six nuclear explosions. Besides creating a strategic balance in the region, our nuclear arsenal has made the country's defence impregnable. Its importance as a deterrent is yet another element. It was this factor which averted a war in 2000, when our troops were locked eyeball-to-eyeball with a massive Indian army. But on the other hand, this capability of ours is a thorn in the side of many. Attempts to stop us from going nuclear date back to the early 1970Ss when the nuclear programme was launched by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was threatened by US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger that "we would destabilize your government and make a horrible example of you". But even now, such elements have been trying to cap our nuclear assets in one way or the other. The nuclear arsenal would fall in the hands of terrorists is their constant refrain, that is completely out of tune with the ground realities in the country. That said, keeping in view the Indo-Pak equation, especially the nuclear flashpoint of Kashmir, nuclear risk-reduction measures should also be taken. Also, the need is to prevent the nuclear arms race. It is good that in this regard, Pakistan time and again, has maintained the position that it would keep a minimum deterrent.