ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to hold ten-day celebrations on the 24th anniversary of nuclear blasts conducted by Pakistan on May 28, 1998.

In a statement on Thursday, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said the Prime Minister has directed that ‘Youm-e-Takbir’ should be celebrated with national spirit in the style of Diamond Jubilee celebrations of 75 years of establishment of Pakistan.

The Prime Minister has directed the federation, four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan to jointly hold the celebrations. The National celebrations on Youm-e-Takbir will be started from today (Thursday).

Marriyum Aurangzeb has released a theme of ‘Na Jhukay Thay, Na Jhukain Gay (We did not bow down, we will not bow down). The Information Minister said that May 28, 1998 is a day of national pride and Pakistan’s great history of not bowing down for the sake of independence, sovereignty and national interests.

She said Pakistan was made a nuclear power under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and now it will be made an economic power. The Information Minister said that this is the historic day when regardless of pressure and threats from outside powers, the national leadership decided to make the country’s defence impregnable and raised the head of the nation with pride.

She said Youm-e-Takbir celebrations will be conducted at the federal, provincial and district levels. Educational institutions, students and the youth will particularly be made part of them. Marriyum Aurangzeb said the Prime Minister has appealed to all segments of the society including all political parties, lawyers, doctors, media, workers and civil society organizations to celebrate this day with national zeal.

She said this is a day of unparalleled unity and solidarity and the day when Pakistan needs to be united. This day needs to be celebrated in this manner. Marriyum Aurangzeb also asked the media to contribute to this national day celebrations by arranging special broadcasts, programs and writings.