RAWALPINDI, Dec 07 (APP): Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi Sunday said the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Armed Forces and will not allow anyone to jeopardize the country’s security and sovereignty.
Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, Abbasi strongly criticised the founder of PTI, accusing him of deliberately damaging national stability and pursuing a narrative hostile to Pakistan’s integrity. He said the former prime minister had “proved through his actions and statements” that he was part of a dangerous campaign targeting state institutions.
The minister said the people of Pakistan firmly support the armed forces, which under the leadership of Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir had dealt India a “historic defeat”. He added that the sacrifices of the martyrs have ensured Pakistan’s honour remains high across the world, but the PTI founder continued to issue statements “contrary to the national interest”.
Abbasi said the PTI founder turned against the very army that earned global recognition for its professionalism only because he could not endure the difficulties of imprisonment. Referring to the events of 9 May, he said memorials of martyrs were desecrated, violent attacks were launched on the Corps Commander House and GHQ, and the “enemy’s long-standing plot” was executed on the ground.
He reiterated allegations that PTI received foreign funding from India and Israel, adding that he raised these concerns in the foreign funding case. “Had decisions been taken on merit, the country would not have suffered political instability and social division,” he said.
The minister said Pakistan’s political history was full of leaders who endured exile, imprisonment, execution and martyrdom, yet none worked against the state or its security institutions. He cited the example of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, saying his governments were toppled three times and Maryam Nawaz also faced imprisonment, but they never harmed national security.
Criticising the governance record of PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Abbasi said the province has suffered 13 years of mismanagement, leaving people without basic services such as health, clean drinking water and education. “Patients are compelled to come to Rawalpindi for treatment,” he said, alleging the KP government had become an instrument in the hands of extremists, while the chief minister was seen protesting outside Adiala Jail.
Abbasi said the PTI founder’s posts and statements continue to target state institutions, adding, “No Pakistani has ever colluded with Afghanistan or India to attack national security. Anyone playing with the country’s integrity is mentally unstable, not a patriot. You have crossed all limits for the sake of power, but we will not allow your narrative to succeed.”
He also criticised the PTI founder’s sisters for giving statements on Indian media that he said were “entirely against Pakistan’s interests”.
Abbasi stressed that martyrs of the armed forces are buried in every village of Pakistan and the nation honours their sacrifices. He said all evidence of the 9 May incidents is with the relevant institutions, and those placed on the Exit Control List were not added “without reason”.
“On 10 May, the world saw how Pakistan’s brave forces defended the country’s honour,” he said. “The nation salutes its martyrs, and Pakistan will remain strong forever.”