Islamabad: On the auspicious occasion of Yaum-e-Takbeer, Altaf Ahmed Bhat, Senior Leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM), has extended his warmest congratulations to the people of Pakistan and the entire Muslim Ummah on the commemoration of Pakistan's historic nuclear tests conducted on May 28, 1998.
He also congratulated Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, on being conferred the rank of Field Marshal, calling it a well-deserved recognition of his leadership, professionalism, and strategic vision.
Altaf Ahmed Bhat emphasized that this honor is a matter of immense pride not only for Pakistan but also for the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, who consider the Pakistan Armed Forces as their protectors and source of hope.
Yaum-e-Takbeer symbolizes Pakistan's firm resolve to safeguard its sovereignty at all costs. It was on this day in 1998 that Pakistan emerged as the first Islamic nuclear state and the seventh nuclear power in the world, responding decisively to India's nuclear provocations. The tests restored the strategic balance in South Asia and dismantled India's illusion of regional supremacy.
Referring to the recent Indian aggression on May 6-7, 2025, Altaf Ahmed Bhat praised the Pakistan Armed Forces for delivering a befitting response, demonstrating operational readiness and national resolve. He stated that the courage and professionalism shown by Pakistan's defense institutions is not only reassuring for the Pakistani nation but also for the struggling people of Kashmir.
He urged Pakistan's civil and military leadership to intensify efforts toward the liberation of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, stressing that the resolution of the Kashmir dispute is not only a moral and legal obligation but also a strategic necessity. He noted that with Kashmir's integration into Pakistan, all major water channels flowing into Pakistan would be secured-eliminating India's ability to use water as a weapon against Pakistan in the future.
'A strong, nuclear Pakistan is the greatest guarantor of Kashmir's freedom movement,' Bhat said. 'Pakistan's unwavering stance and military strength continue to inspire hope among Kashmiris who are resisting Indian occupation.'
Altaf Ahmed Bhat reaffirmed that Yaum-e-Takbeer is a clear message to India and the international community: Pakistan will never compromise on its sovereignty, nor will it abandon the just struggle of the Kashmiri people.
He also paid tribute to the visionary civil and military leadership whose unwavering commitment and strategic foresight led to the successful development of Pakistan's nuclear program. He said their collective efforts made Pakistan a strong and secure nuclear state, turning Yaum-e-Takbeer into a symbol of national pride and a powerful deterrent against external aggression.
He concluded the statement by reiterating solidarity with the people and armed forces of Pakistan and expressing confidence that the day is not far when Kashmir will become a part of Pakistan.