Any bilateral cricket match between Pakistan and India cannot be played until India frees the people of occupied valley of Kashmir, said Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan here on Saturday.
Talking to media on the second day of the first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh being played here at Rawalpindi Stadium, she said in the current situation in Held Kashmir where innocent Kashmiri people are being subjected to the worst form of atrocities by Indian forces, the cricket ties between Pakistan and India are not possible. She demanded India to immediately lift curfew in the occupied valley. “India has created many barriers in our path and promoted false propaganda on all forums to stop international cricket in Pakistan,” she said. “Until India frees the people of occupied Kashmir, any matches between the countries will only pour salt on the wounds of the Kashmiris,” she added.
The SAPM commended Bangladesh authorities for sending their team to Pakistan despite their initial reservations. “They honoured their commitment, and by sending their team, have supported us in reviving international cricket in the country. Together we have demonstrated to the world that we are a peaceful country,” she said. “I myself am also a cricketer,” she said, adding that had she not been a politician, she would have been the coach of the national women’s cricket team.
Dr Firdous said that Pakistan’s positive and peaceful image stands promoted as a result of efforts and vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan. She said Pakistan is a peaceful country and restoration of international cricket is its manifestation. She said sports play a big role in creating healthy minds, adding that sports activities promote healthy societies. The government also wants to restore other sports in the country and reforms are being brought into other sports including football, kabadi, etc, she remarked.
The SAPM said that reforms are being introduced in Pakistan Sports Board to improve its performance. She said Prime Minister Imran Khan has restructured cricket structure in the country which has started paying dividends. She said sports teams from the whole world will come to Pakistan and it is a good omen that world countries are changing the travel advisories for Pakistan.
Dr Firdous said that she has specially come to endorse the efforts of media and people who played great role in revival of sports in the country. She said that credit goes to all stakeholders who played their role in revival of sports in the country. Dr Firdous said that Inter-Provincial Coordination Ministry and relevant departments are working on tasks assigned by the government to further improve sports activities in the country. She said that natural talent will come up with such initiatives.
She said that long-term planning has been done and priorities set to bring stability in the country. She said that improvement will come step by step. She said that Sialkot produces sports goods including cricket bats and it is desire of the people that international cricket matches are also held in the city again. She said the government is committed to exploit the potential and talent of youth in different sports.
