（下边有中文翻译请继续看到底。 谢谢。）
On May 28, 1998, the quiet deserts of Chagai Hills thundered with history. In a single moment, Pakistan transformed its strategic landscape by becoming the world’s seventh nuclear power—and the first in the Muslim world. This momentous achievement, now solemnly commemorated each year as Youm-e-Takbir—the Day of Greatness—was not just a scientific or technological breakthrough. It was a declaration of sovereign will, a line drawn against coercion, and a signal that Pakistan would never again be bullied into submission.
But this achievement did not come easily. It was born of hardship, sacrifice, and unyielding national resolve in the face of diplomatic isolation, economic sanctions, and regional hostility. It was the result of decades of determined leadership, scientific brilliance, and the collective will of a nation determined to survive with dignity.
The Genesis of Deterrence: A Response to Regional Realities
Pakistan’s nuclear journey truly began in 1974, when India detonated its first nuclear device under the misnomer Smiling Buddha. This development shattered the illusion of strategic equilibrium in South Asia and introduced a new era of existential threat for Pakistan. From that point forward, the calculus was clear: either remain vulnerable to strategic blackmail or build a credible deterrent to preserve national sovereignty.
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and successive governments, Pakistan embarked on a long and secretive path toward nuclear capability. Despite being subjected to intense international pressure and sanctions, Pakistani scientists and engineers—most notably Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and his team—worked relentlessly, often under resource-starved conditions, to develop a deterrent that would ensure national survival.
Then, in May 1998, India once again altered the regional equation with its second round of nuclear tests at Pokhran. The provocation was unmistakable. Amid immense global pressure to exercise restraint, Pakistan made the courageous choice to restore strategic balance. On May 28, 1998, under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s leadership and with the full backing of the armed forces, Pakistan responded with five nuclear detonations in Chagai—a bold and resolute affirmation of its national security doctrine.
Strategic Significance of Youm-e-Takbir
Pakistan’s nuclear tests were not meant as an act of aggression but as a calculated and necessary response to safeguard its security. The doctrine of Minimum Credible Deterrence, adopted in the aftermath, underscored this principled approach: Pakistan sought peace, not provocation; stability, not supremacy.
Since 1998, Pakistan has consistently demonstrated restraint and maturity as a nuclear state, even in moments of severe provocation. From the Kargil conflict and the 2001–02 military standoff, to the 2016 Uri attack and the Balakot airstrikes of 2019, Pakistan acted responsibly, keeping the threshold of escalation firmly in mind. The strength of its command and control systems, praised internationally for their professionalism and reliability, reflects its commitment to strategic discipline.
May 2025: The Real Test of Deterrence
Deterrence theory posits that nuclear-armed states are less likely to engage in direct warfare due to the risks of mutual destruction. This assumption was put to the test on May 7, 2025, when India—under an increasingly belligerent and ideologically driven leadership—launched an unprovoked military strike against Pakistan. The move stunned the global community, breaking nearly three decades of nuclear peace in the region.
Pakistan’s response was swift, calculated, and proportionate. In a short but intense 87-hour conflict, the Pakistan Air Force—leveraging advanced Chinese military technology and real-time multi-domain integration—achieved overwhelming air superiority. The myth of Indian military dominance was not only shattered but publicly exposed.
Retired Lt. Gen. Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, in a recent address marking Youm-e-Takbir, called this episode a “strategic recalibration” in South Asia. The conflict validated Pakistan’s “Quid Pro Quo Plus” doctrine—demonstrating the state’s ability to respond decisively without triggering uncontrolled escalation. New Delhi, having provoked the conflict, found itself forced into requesting a ceasefire.
Does Nuclear Deterrence Still Matter?
Some might argue that India’s adventurism in 2025 signified the erosion of nuclear deterrence. But such a conclusion misunderstands deterrence’s core philosophy. Nuclear deterrence is not a guarantee of zero conflict—it is a safeguard against total war. While limited engagements may still occur, nuclear capability prevents them from spiraling into existential catastrophe.
What the 2025 conflict truly revealed was the fragility of India’s strategic thinking under ideological pressure, and the enduring strength of Pakistan’s doctrine. By winning the limited war decisively—without resorting to nuclear weapons—Pakistan showcased the strength and maturity of its dual-track deterrence posture, which integrates conventional and nuclear capabilities to maintain peace.
The Path Forward: Dialogue, Deterrence, and Dignity
Youm-e-Takbir is not merely a day to commemorate past glory. It is a reaffirmation of Pakistan’s unshakeable resolve, its strategic patience, and its commitment to peace through strength. As the regional environment becomes more volatile—with India’s Hindutva ideology fueling aggressive military doctrines—Pakistan’s commitment to peace becomes all the more significant.
Yet, deterrence alone cannot ensure lasting peace. As emphasized by Lt. Gen. Kidwai, diplomatic engagement remains crucial. The recent initiatives brokered by President Donald Trump in the aftermath of the 2025 conflict point toward the need for renewed dialogue and confidence-building in South Asia. Pakistan, as always, stands ready for meaningful engagement—firm in its sovereignty, yet open to peace.
Its enduring partnership with China, advocacy for regional harmony, and principled calls for resolving disputes such as Kashmir through peaceful means reflect a consistent and dignified foreign policy. Pakistan’s approach contrasts sharply with India’s militaristic posturing and diplomatic inflexibility.
A Legacy Forged in Resolve
Twenty-seven years after the thunder of Chagai echoed across the globe, Youm-e-Takbir remains a powerful symbol of Pakistan’s resolve, vision, and strategic wisdom. The decision to test nuclear weapons in 1998 was not a choice of prestige, but of necessity. It was the only rational response to an increasingly hostile neighborhood.
Pakistan’s nuclear journey is a story of grit and grace—of enduring hardship without compromising on principles. Despite pressure, isolation, and threats, Pakistan has conducted itself as a mature, responsible nuclear state, upholding regional stability and global norms.
The events of 2025 have only reinforced this reputation. Pakistan’s restrained but effective response not only protected its sovereignty but reaffirmed the enduring utility of deterrence.
Youm-e-Takbir is a reminder that Pakistan does not seek conflict, but neither will it allow itself to be cornered. It is a nation of peace—but one fully prepared to defend its freedom. From the sands of Chagai to the skies of 2025, Pakistan has proven that it is not only a nuclear power—but a responsible one, anchored in dignity, resilience, and foresight.
1998年5月28日，察盖山宁静的沙漠轰鸣着历史。巴基斯坦在一瞬间改变了战略格局，成为世界第七个核大国，同时也是穆斯林世界的第一个核大国。这一重大成就，现在每年都被庄严地纪念为youm -e- takir——伟大的一天——这不仅仅是一个科学或技术上的突破。这是主权意志的宣言，是反对胁迫的底线，也是巴基斯坦再也不会屈服的信号。
但这一成就来之不易。它诞生于艰辛、牺牲和面对外交孤立、经济制裁和地区敌意的不屈不挠的民族决心。这是几十年来坚定的领导、卓越的科学成就和一个国家决心有尊严地生存的集体意志的结果。
威慑的起源：对地区现实的回应
巴基斯坦的核之旅真正开始于1974年，当时印度以“微笑的佛陀”为名引爆了第一枚核装置。这一发展打破了南亚战略平衡的幻想，并为巴基斯坦引入了一个存在威胁的新时代。从那时起，形势就很清楚了：要么继续遭受战略勒索，要么建立可靠的威慑力量来维护国家主权。
在总理佐勒菲卡尔·阿里·布托（Zulfikar Ali Bhutto）和历届政府富有远见的领导下，巴基斯坦走上了通往核能力的漫长而秘密的道路。尽管受到巨大的国际压力和制裁，巴基斯坦的科学家和工程师，尤其是阿卜杜勒·卡迪尔·汗博士和他的团队，经常在资源匮乏的情况下，坚持不懈地工作，以开发一种能够确保国家生存的威慑力量。
然后，1998年5月，印度在博克兰进行了第二轮核试验，再次改变了地区局势。挑衅是显而易见的。在要求保持克制的巨大全球压力下，巴基斯坦作出了恢复战略平衡的勇敢选择。1998年5月28日，在纳瓦兹·谢里夫总理的领导下，在武装部队的全力支持下，巴基斯坦在查加伊进行了五次核爆炸作为回应——这是对其国家安全原则的大胆而坚决的肯定。
Youm-e-Takbir的战略意义
巴基斯坦的核试验并不是一种侵略行为，而是为维护其安全而精心策划的必要反应。事后采用的最低可信威慑原则强调了这一原则方针：巴基斯坦寻求和平，而不是挑衅；稳定，而不是霸权。
自1998年以来，巴基斯坦一直表现出作为一个核国家的克制和成熟，即使在受到严重挑衅的时刻也是如此。从卡吉尔冲突和2001-02年的军事对峙，到2016年的乌里袭击和2019年的巴拉科特空袭，巴基斯坦采取了负责任的行动，牢牢记住了升级的门槛。其指挥和控制系统的实力因其专业性和可靠性而受到国际赞誉，反映了其对战略纪律的承诺。
2025年5月：真正的威慑考验
威慑理论认为，由于相互毁灭的风险，拥有核武器的国家不太可能卷入直接战争。这一假设在2025年5月7日受到了考验，在日益好战和意识形态驱动的领导下，印度对巴基斯坦发动了无端的军事打击。此举震惊了国际社会，打破了该地区近三十年的核和平。
巴基斯坦的反应是迅速、深思熟虑和适度的。在短暂而激烈的87小时冲突中，巴基斯坦空军利用中国先进的军事技术和实时多域集成，取得了压倒性的空中优势。印度军事优势的神话不仅被打破，而且被公开暴露。
退休中将哈立德·艾哈迈德·基德瓦伊（Khalid Ahmed Kidwai）最近在纪念Youm-e-Takbir的讲话中称这一事件是南亚的“战略重新校准”。这场冲突证实了巴基斯坦的“交换条件+”原则，表明该国有能力在不引发失控升级的情况下做出果断反应。挑起冲突的新德里发现自己被迫要求停火。
核威慑仍然重要吗？
有人可能会说，印度在2025年的冒险主义，标志着核威慑力量的削弱。但这样的结论误解了威慑的核心理念。核威慑并不是零冲突的保证，而是防止全面战争的保障。虽然有限的交战可能仍会发生，但核能力可以防止它们演变成一场生死攸关的灾难。
2025年的冲突真正揭示的是，在意识形态压力下，印度战略思维的脆弱性，以及巴基斯坦学说的持久力量。巴基斯坦在不动用核武器的情况下，果断赢得了有限战争的胜利，展示了其常规能力和核能力相结合、维护和平的双轨威慑态势的实力和成熟度。
前进的道路：对话、威慑和尊严
Youm-e-Takbir不仅仅是纪念过去辉煌的日子。它重申了巴基斯坦不可动摇的决心、战略耐心以及通过实力实现和平的承诺。随着地区环境变得更加不稳定，印度的印度教思想助长了激进的军事学说，巴基斯坦对和平的承诺变得更加重要。
然而，仅靠威慑并不能确保持久和平。正如基德瓦伊强调的那样，外交接触仍然至关重要。在2025年冲突之后，唐纳德·特朗普总统最近促成的倡议表明，需要在南亚恢复对话和建立信任。巴基斯坦一如既往，随时准备进行有意义的接触——坚定其主权，但对和平持开放态度。
它与中国的持久伙伴关系，倡导地区和谐，并有原则地呼吁通过和平手段解决克什米尔等争端，反映了一种一贯而有尊严的外交政策。巴基斯坦的做法与印度的军国主义姿态和外交僵化形成鲜明对比。
决心铸就的遗产
恰盖之雷响彻全球27年后，Youm-e-Takbir仍然是巴基斯坦决心、远见和战略智慧的有力象征。1998年试验核武器的决定不是出于声望，而是出于必要。这是对一个日益敌对的邻居的唯一理性回应。
巴基斯坦的核之旅是一个关于勇气和优雅的故事——在不妥协原则的情况下忍受困难。面对压力、孤立和威胁，巴基斯坦始终表现出一个成熟、负责任的核国家的姿态，维护了地区稳定和国际准则。
2025年的事件只是强化了这种声誉。巴基斯坦克制而有效的反应不仅保护了其主权，而且重申了威慑的持久效用。
Youm-e-Takbir事件提醒人们，巴基斯坦不寻求冲突，但也不会让自己走投无路。这是一个和平的国家，但也是一个充分准备捍卫自由的国家。从查盖的沙漠到2025年的天空，巴基斯坦已经证明，它不仅是一个核大国，而且是一个负责任的国家，以尊严、韧性和远见为基础。
( 注意： 本文是用AI翻译的，或有误差。请以原版英文为准。谢谢。)
Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist, Diplomat, Editor, Analyst, Advisor, Consultant to Global South Economic and Trade Cooperation Research Center, and Non-Resident Fellow of CCG. (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com).