KARACHI: Youm-e-Takbir is celebrated as a national day in Pakistan on May 28 in commemoration of Chagai-I and Chagai-II nuclear tests. The tests made Pakistan the seventh nation to possess nuclear weapons, and the first in the Muslim world. The then PM Nawaz Sharif in pressure from the public and the military establishment allowed the launching of the nuclear bomb test.
Dr. AQ Khan became national hero after this day. There was another hero of this day who proposed the name of this national day. Syed Ghazanfar Abbas, proposed the name, “Youm-e-Takbir”, when Pak went nuclear on 28 May, 1999. The then prime minister Muhamamd Nawaz Sharif awarded him a Certificate of recognition which was received by his son Syed Ibne Hussain on his behalf.
Syed Ghazanfar Abbas served as Civil Engineer in the Irrigation Department and retired as Secretary Irrigation Punjab. After retirement he spent his life in study and research. He was a man of knowledge and wisdom. He died 10 years ago due to heart failure. Syed Ghazanfar Abbas’s son Syed Ibne Hussain served as IGP Punjab and Member Punjab Service Commission. His other son Syed Ibne Abbas served as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to UK and retired last year, and he is now Member Punjab Service Commission.
In the Islamic world, instead of applause, often someone will shout Takbir or Nara-e-Takbir and the crowd will respond with Allahu Akbar (God is great). The Government of Pakistan asked for proposals from the nation to decide a name by which the day should be celebrated. A country-wide campaign was launched to select the name for this particular day. Thousands of names were proposed by millions of Pakistanis. This name was suggested by more than one person including Syed Ghazanfar Abbas. All persons who suggested this name were given away Prime Minister Award. Youm-e-Takbir here can be translated to “The day of greatness” or “The day of God’s greatness”.
