ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Railways Mohammad Hanif Abbasi on Monday called for national unity across the board to effectively address internal and external challenges, saying that Pakistan is an invincible nuclear state and that regional adversaries cannot undermine its national security.
Addressing an event here at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), Abbasi accused Afghanistan of functioning as a hub for foreign-sponsored terrorism and said that external elements are financing subversion in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Balochistan, emphasizing that national security institutions remain fully cognizant and vigilant to thwart hostile agendas.
“Facilitators of terrorism are from within, but they can’t hide themselves anywhere,” he said pointing towards invisible local hands supporting notorious activities in the country. He linked India’s direct involvement in terrorism activities in Pakistan saying, “Israel through technical support and India through financial sponsorship have extended all-out support to the terrorists sitting in Afghanistan with single point agenda of destabilising Pakistan.”
He said that the entire nation was united on the integrity of Pakistan and will jointly respond to any aggressor or conspirator as they proved in May 2025.
On regional infrastructure progress, Abbasi appreciated CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif, announcing that 50 new public transport buses will soon be deployed across Rawalpindi.
“These buses will commute with in the city to further ease public travel,” he said.
Highlight achievements in local healthcare, he confirmed that two successful liver transplants were recently performed at the Rawalpindi Kidney Hospital, eliminating the need for patients to travel abroad for specialized treatment.
The minister added that two 300-bed hospitals have been completed in Rawalpindi, while a 400-bed pediatric hospital named Children Hospital is scheduled for completion by June 2027.
“We are committed to complete construction work of the historic Children Hospital, Rawalpindi as soon as possible and we will get it inaugurated by the prime minister in June 2027,” he announced.
Abbasi also announced the renovation of sports complex, and construction of dedicated girls hostel for the university.
“This is my duty to serve my daughters and I will do best to give them a separate hostel,” he said adding that female students of the university belong to diverse culture and they deserve a standard living in university.
Vice-Chancellor PMAS-AAUR Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman delivering the welcome address, extended gratitude to the federal minister for his support in renovating the university auditorium, upgrading sports facilities, and modernizing campus infrastructure.
Following the address, Abbasi distributed mementos to officials recognised for their contributions to the campus renovation project.
Earlier, the minister inaugurated recently renovated state of the art auditorium. The university management and students gave a very warm welcome upon his arrival.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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