KARACHI: All banks across Pakistan will remain closed on May 28 in observance of Youm-e-Takbeer, a public holiday declared by the Government of Pakistan. This day commemorates the historic nuclear tests conducted on May 28, 1998, when Pakistan became the seventh nuclear-armed country and the first in the Islamic world.
The State Bank of Pakistan issued a notification on May 23, 2025, confirming that it will be closed along with all other banks. The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) and the Sindh provincial government have also announced closures for the day, affecting government and private institutions.
May 28 is a gazetted holiday across the country, as announced by the Cabinet Division last year. The tests took place at the Ras Koh Hills in Chaghai District, Balochistan, following India’s nuclear test in 1974, which accelerated Pakistan’s nuclear program.
The nuclear tests marked Pakistan’s determination to protect its sovereignty and maintain strategic balance in South Asia. The day is celebrated nationwide as a symbol of national strength and pride, reflecting Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity and independence.
