Youm-e-Takbeer celebrated with zeal
LAHORE: 'Youm-e-Takbeer' was marked in commemoration of nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan 28th May, 1998 with zeal on Wednesday amid renewed pledge to render any type of sacrifice for the defence of the motherland.
On this day, Pakistan became the seventh nuclear power of the world and the first Muslim state having the nuclear arsenal in its defence stockpile. These tests demonstrated the resolve of the nation to safeguard Pakistan's territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty.
To mark the day, seminars, rallies and other ceremonies were held in different parts of the country.
Speaking at a ceremony in Lahore today, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik said the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif made Pakistan invincible by conducting nuclear tests.
The PML-N Lahore president Saif ul Malook Khokhar MNA termed the 28th May as a symbol of nation's unwavering determination, courage and spirit of defending homeland. Rallies were also taken out in different parts of the country.
Punjab Information Minister, Azma Bokhari stated that May 28 is a golden and unforgettable day in Pakistan's history, symbolizing national pride and sovereignty.
She said that on May 28, 1998, under the leadership of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan conducted nuclear tests, rejecting global pressure, economic sanctions, and American offers—thereby becoming the first nuclear power in the Islamic world. Azma Bokhari emphasized that Nawaz Sharif, in a bold and unequivocal response to U.S. pressure, raised the flag of national honour by firmly saying 'Absolutely Not.'
By prioritizing national sovereignty above all else, Nawaz Sharif crushed India's arrogance and made Pakistan's defence invincible. She added that today, Pakistan's armed forces continue to maintain superiority over adversaries—a continuation of the firm and strategic decision made on May 28, 1998.
Further highlighting the historical context, she said that while India took pride in its nuclear tests on May 10, Pakistan's response on May 28 was a powerful and fitting reply that shattered India's pride. 'Elder brother Nawaz Sharif broke India's arrogance, while younger brother Shehbaz Sharif made it bite the dust,' she remarked.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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One of the biggest advantages that the armed forces of Pakistan have over the Indians is that development, testing and manufacture of weapons and military systems is guided by the services themselves. Within a few years, and of course with much assistance from the Chinese, the PAF developed a capability which took aerial combat to a completely new level. EW was no longer just a force multiplier and coupled with AI, it became central to a new art of warfare that I call AI-Centric Cognitive Warfare where 'AI-Centric' highlights the primacy of machine intelligence and 'Cognitive Warfare' indicates the strategic aim of winning the battle. In other words, war by disruption, not just destruction Parallels can be drawn from history where dramatic and unexpected innovations changed the method of warfare. The feudal knights in armour (the heavy cavalry) who had dominated the battlefields of medieval Europe were defeated by the arrows of the English longbows which penetrated their plate armour. The advent of large cannon in late medieval period was a watershed moment that sounded the death knell of siege warfare by rendering traditional castles and city walls useless. The German Blitzkrieg in the opening stages of Second World War marked a dramatic shift from the static trench warfare of the previous World War and its core principles continue to influence military doctrine till now. Each of these breakthroughs was more than a tactical improvement — they represented a fundamental change in how wars were fought. AI-Centric Cognitive Warfare may prove to be the next such transformation, reshaping battlefields with speed, precision, and control over information itself. In future limited wars (as well as operations on a larger scale), AICCW will shift the battlefield focus from brute force to brainpower. The aim will be to deliver maximum damage quickly — not just by destroying enemy assets, but by breaking their ability to think, respond, or coordinate effectively. AI will take the lead in planning and executing operations with speed and precision. It identifies weak spots in the enemy's defences, disrupts their communication, and creates confusion in command structures — often before the first missile is even launched. Weapons of destruction like tanks, fighter aircrafts, missiles, artillery, drones, etc would still used, but their employment will be guided by AI systems that target not just hardware, but the minds and systems behind them. A limited war fought within the concept of AICCW would open with launching cyber and electronic attacks to jam radars, blind sensors, and distort battlefield awareness. This would be in tandem with strikes to overwhelm the enemy's decision-making and disrupt leadership and command structure by neutralising communication hubs, and information nodes (e.g., radio trucks, SIGINT stations), making it hard for the enemy to fight back. Having established a secure battlespace eliminate or cripple the enemies' assets identified through AI analysing enemy patterns, communication flows, and sensor emissions to target command elements. Rather than 'kill everything,' own forces will be able to focus on the neutralisation/destruction of the most critical assets. As the battle unfolds, AI will adjust the operation in real time — redirecting drones, retargeting missiles, and shifting tactics. There are indications that the Pakistan Army is also developing an AICCW capability. It has officially announced that the Corps of Signals has been elevated from a supporting arm to a combat arm. This signifies a shift in the role and responsibilities of the Corps, placing them at the forefront of military operations rather than simply providing support and is a noteworthy development in the Pakistan Army's structure and operational capabilities. I would not be surprised if our 'Silent Service', the Pakistan Navy is already well ahead in developing an AICCW capability. In a region like South Asia where tensions can spike quickly and escalation must be avoided, AICCW offers a way to achieve decisive results without a full-scale war. These AI-led limited wars could be over in days, with one side effectively paralysed before it can respond. The key is to win the cognitive battle — to confuse, deceive, and disable the enemy mentally and operationally before they can regain control. However, such fast, AI-driven warfare comes with dangers. Misjudging the enemy's red lines or failing to control escalation could turn a limited war into a larger conflict. And as machines take over more decision-making, the role of human judgment and restraint becomes more critical than ever. Author's Note: all material for this article has been gathered from open sources. Syed Ali Hamid is a retired Pakistan Army major general and a military historian. He can be contacted at syedali4955@ All facts and information are the responsibility of the writer
