Moin Khan in a casino

Letter February 27, 2015
A casino is a facility which houses and accommodates hotels, restaurants, retail shopping or other tourist attractions

PESHAWAR: Ever since Moin Khan, our national cricket team selector, entered a casino in Christchurch, our media has made a mountain out of a molehill. Let me explain what a casino is because I am sure that 90 per cent of the people making a hue and cry over this issue have never visited a casino in their lives. A casino is a facility, which houses and accommodates hotels, restaurants, retail shopping or other tourist attractions. Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment events, such as comedy shows, concerts and sporting events. Gambling is just a part of the facility. It is not a given that someone who has visited a casino would have necessarily gambled. Normally, it is a very lively place, which is mostly visited by tourists from all over the world. Gambling is done in a specified area and no one is forced to play even when one enters that area.

Most casinos offer very attractive and cheap hotel facilities. There are world class restaurants located inside them both very expensive as well as not-so-expensive ones, including fast food outlets. Major international conferences are held in casinos. International sporting events like boxing and wrestling also take place here.

So, my people, please relax! Moin Khan has not committed any sin by having food in a casino. We, and particularly our anchors on TV, should be very careful in passing judgments on others. Imagine what the other teams in the World Cup would be thinking about us after watching this hue and cry over such a trivial issue.

Khalid Rashid

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th,  2015.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.