By Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal
In the quiet dignity of retrospect, 28 May 1998 endures as one of the most solemn and elevating moments in Pakistan’s journey as a nation. On that day, amidst the rugged hills of Chagai, our homeland answered provocation with measured resolve, proclaiming through the voice of nuclear capability its unyielding right to self-defence and strategic equilibrium in South Asia. It was not a gesture of bravado but an act of necessity, born of a people long tested by adversity and determined never to bow before existential threat. By the grace of Allah Almighty, Pakistan stood firm, its civil and military leadership united in wisdom and purpose.
The provocation had been clearly set in motion. India’s nuclear tests at Pokhran in mid-May 1998 reopened old wounds and posed a direct challenge to Pakistan’s sovereignty. History had already recorded the wars of 1948, 1965 and 1971; the hostility that followed Partition had never truly subsided. In those critical days, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif demonstrated exemplary statesmanship. Facing immense international pressure, inducements and threats of isolation, he consulted closely with the military high command and patriotic scientists. Together, civil and military leaders reviewed Pakistan’s preparedness with calm deliberation.
The decision, taken after prayerful reflection, was conveyed with resolve: Pakistan would exercise its sovereign right. On 28 and 30 May, Chagai-I and Chagai-II restored the delicate balance of deterrence. These were acts of restraint and responsibility, ensuring that peace would rest upon strength. Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and dedicated teams from the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, supported by the unwavering commitment of institutions and personnel, translated vision into reality. Their combined efforts, under successive governments and military stewardship, had prepared the ground over decades.
The foundations had been laid earlier, most notably after India’s 1974 nuclear explosion. Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s historic declaration — that Pakistan would “eat grass, even go hungry” to secure its deterrent — ignited a national endeavour. Through periods of sanctions and adversity, civil leadership provided direction while the armed forces offered steadfast institutional support, guarding the programme’s sanctity. This harmonious civil-military collaboration proved vital in 1998, when the nation spoke with one voice.
Nearly three decades later, that same spirit of unity shone brightly in May 2025. When Pakistan faced manufactured aggression in a brief yet perilous conflict with India, civil and military leadership once more stood shoulder to shoulder. Under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government and the resolute command of the armed forces, led by Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan responded with valour, precision and unity of purpose. The armed forces, drawing upon years of professional excellence and operational readiness, executed their duties with distinction, while civilian institutions demonstrated seamless coordination.
By the infinite mercy of Allah, victory was granted. Our defenders turned back the threat, bearing wounds with pride and saluting their martyrs with reverence. That triumph, rooted in the synergy between elected civilian government and military command, not only reaffirmed external deterrence but also strengthened internal cohesion.
In its wake came unprecedented diplomatic successes. Pakistan emerged as a credible mediator in regional tensions, particularly in efforts to de-escalate conflicts in the Gulf. This role, facilitated through mature engagement by both civil and military leadership, earned respect across divides and highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to stability. Field Marshal Asim Munir’s elevation and the strengthening of coordinated defence structures reflected the evolution of a mature civil-military partnership dedicated to national security.
Divine guidance has ever illuminated this path. The Holy Qur’an commands preparation of power to deter the enemy (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:60). Pakistan’s leadership fulfilled this sacred duty. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, taught balance: “Tie your camel and trust in Allah.” True security demands vigilance alongside faith. Nuclear capability, while indispensable, is no panacea. Hybrid threats — economic subversion, cyber challenges and internal discord — require continued unity. As the Qur’an reminds us, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:11). A strong deterrent shields the frontier; only national cohesion, economic progress and moral renewal can secure the future.
On this anniversary, we offer humble gratitude to the Almighty who has shown repeated mercy. We salute the scientists whose genius lit the path, the soldiers who guard it still, the statesmen who bore heavy burdens with wisdom — from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif to Shehbaz Sharif and beyond — and the military commanders whose partnership has fortified the nation. Their legacy is one of resolve tempered by responsibility. Pakistan stands tall today not through its own power alone, but by the will of Allah and the sacrifices of its sons.
May this day renew in every heart the commitment to justice and steadfastness. As the Qur’an instructs, “O you who believe, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah…” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:135). Let us guard sovereignty with wisdom, mend divisions with sincerity and walk humbly before our Creator. In unity between civil and military institutions, in faith and in gratitude lies the true guarantee of our dignity. May Allah continue to protect Pakistan, guide its leaders and grant it strength — ever resolute, ever thankful and ever victorious in His cause.
(The writer is a parliamentary expert with decades of experience in legislative research and media affairs, leading policy support initiatives for lawmakers on complex national and international issues, and can be reached at editorial@metro-Morning.com)
