The federal government has announced a public holiday on Wednesday, May 28, in remembrance of Youm-e-Takbeer — the day when Pakistan became a nuclear power in 1998.
Marking the anniversary of the tests conducted in Chagai, Balochistan, all federal departments will remain closed. Sindh authorities have also confirmed a day off for provincial offices and related institutions.
In line with the national holiday, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) will also be shut for the day. An official circular has been issued to notify stakeholders.
Youm-e-Takbeer holds historical significance as the moment Pakistan established nuclear capability, becoming the seventh country in the world — and the first in the Muslim world — to do so. The tests were seen as a strategic response to India’s earlier nuclear activity, solidifying Pakistan’s defense posture in the region and ensuring Pakistan’s safety in both the short and long term.