ISLAMABAD, May 28: PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq on Friday criticized the government for ignoring the anniversary of Pakistan's nuclear tests and disowning a great national achievement.

A cabinet decision during the Nawaz Sharif government had declared May 28 as 'Youm-i-Takbeer' to commemorate Pakistan achieving the nuclear power status. Spokespersons for the government and armed forces were at a loss to explain why the day was not being officially commemorated.

Each shifted the responsibility to the other to respond to queries on the matter. Information minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, when contacted as to why the May 28 was not officially commemorated, said: "You should ask the ISPR".

The ISPR director-general, Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan, said there was no reason for not commemorating the day. He said the government spokesman would be the right person to answer the query.