'Badmouthing Pakistan not acceptable'

Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi on Sunday vowed that no one speaking against Pakistan would be accepted, stressing that "thousands of governments can be sacrificed on the blood of our martyrs".

He said the country was moving toward prosperity, with a high-level Saudi delegation expected soon to bring "billions of dollars in investment".

Addressing a reception hosted by the Anjuman-e-Tajiran, Abbasi lauded the traders' long-standing support. "Whether it was in jail, in union politics, or during national political upheavals, you stood with us."

He added that Pakistan "was once on a ventilator, but now its voice echoes across the world, in the Middle East and Central Asia, where our prime minister is welcomed with respect".

He attributed the new diplomatic momentum to the sacrifices of the martyrs and the "sincerity and hard work" of the government.

Taking aim at opponents, he said, "Some people wished for another May 9, thinking it would bring them to power, or that if some foreign president returned to office, they too would rise again, but look what happened."

Urging unity, he added, "We never resisted lawful action ... no baton-charge, no tear gas stopped us. Let's work within the law; Hanif Abbasi is with you."

He described Pakistan's ethnic diversity as its pride: "Pashtuns, Kashmiris, Sindhis … they're all jewels on our forehead. But anyone who says they don't accept Pakistan, we don't accept them".

Comparing Punjab's progress to other provinces, Abbasi said, "Look at today's Rawalpindi … there was no transport, no education or health facilities. Remove the work done by Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, and what remains? Only a village".

He announced that "beautiful electric buses and modern stops" would soon arrive. "When our mothers and sisters travel comfortably, who won't feel proud? CM Maryam Nawaz would visit Rawalpindi on October 15 or 16 to gift the city its first fleet of electronic buses."

Abbasi also praised the army. "During the Haq war, Pakistan captured 22 Indian posts … that's not our claim, it's what the world says. Pakistan shot down seven of India's jets and when they hit Noor Khan Base with missiles, we hit back harder."

The minister added that attacks on security forces amounted to treason. "We are taking Pakistan toward development. Saudi Arabia and the world are coming here, investing billions. Pakistan exists, that's why we exist. Railways already connect the whole country; In sha Allah, Pakistan will endure forever."