Pakistan

Imran sticks to his guns, opposes Lahore final

Khan says a curfew-like situation in the city would only tarnish Pakistan’s image

Danish Hussain March 03, 2017

PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: Despite severe criticism from cricket lovers, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan stood his ground in opposing a Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore, saying a curfew-like situation in the city would only tarnish Pakistan’s image.

“If something inimical happened on the final day then it will prove to be the end of international cricket in Pakistan,” said Imran, sharing his fears with the public.

He was speaking in connection with the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government’s Billion Tree Plantation Programme.

Imran Khan opposes holding PSL final in Lahore

On social media websites, the game lovers have been criticising the former cricketer-turned-politician for his point of view about holding the final match of PSL in Lahore. Imran had earlier dubbed this decision of the PML-N government as ‘insane’ given the prevailing security situation in the country.

To a question, Imran said international cricket would only resume in Pakistan if the government overcame the menace of terrorism and ever-deteriorating law and order situation in the country instead of making cosmetic security arrangements.

“You can hold a match even in war-hit Syria or Iraq by deputing 60,000 security personnel to guard a crowd of 30,000 visitors inside a stadium, but by blocking all electronic signals and devises and after curtailing routine life of the city,” Imran commented in a lighter tone.

Earlier, addressing the ceremony Imran said after coming into power in K-P, the PTI government took strict measures against the timber mafia.

Pakistan Super League final: Finishing touches put on security plan

Imran said that the claims of development in advertisements by those shackled by the Panama probe had no objective reality.

Under the ongoing campaign, he said, some 75 million trees had been planted so far and the target of one billion would be achieved soon.

Through this campaign, he said, 5,000 people have received employment. While criticising the Punjab government, Pakistan said it had spent Rs20 billion on ads while K-P government spent only Rs1.5 billion.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2017.

COMMENTS (22)

Humza | 7 years ago | Reply @Tahir: The most important thing is to send a message to criminals that attacking civilians in Pakistan will not prevent life from going on and it will not affect the improving economy. This can only happen if life goes on and the nation shows that world that is business as usual. Do not give the cowards what they want or the satisfaction of knowing that the event in Lahore is called off. Imran Khan is wrong as always. Imran should stop thinking about himself and think instead about society.

mohammad Azam Bhatti | 7 years ago | Reply Goodluck. Nothing will happen to PSL at Lahore. All foreign players are our well wishers and they love Pakistan and Cricket. All the best.

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Lahori Gujjar | 7 years ago | Reply Lahoris love it. Pakistanis love it and welcome PSL final being played in Pakistan. So stop being negative and doing politics on PSL.

Irfan_Sydnry | 7 years ago | Reply Today is 3rd of March. May not be an important date for a Pakistani but a darn important date for Sri Lankan cricketer players. Exactly 8 years ago i.e on the 3rd of March 2009 Sri Lankan team was attacked in Lahore. In 2009 no other team was coming to Pakistan. Pakistan promised Presidential security for the players. It means the security which is given to the President of Pakistan was promised for Pakistani players. Sri Lankan government felt pity for Pakistani cricket lovers and believed on the presidential security promised and sent their players. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene were amongst the players who got injured by the terrorists firing on the bus. Now both of these players are playing for Karachi Kings. They have refused to come to Pakistan for the final. They have been told that Pakistan will provide foolproof security this time to them. They don’t believe Pakistan’s promise this time. Why don’t these people believe Pakistan government's promise this time? Can anyone explain to me please?

Kami | 7 years ago | Reply Is Nawaz Sharif so desperate for some good press that he will put the future of international cricket in Pakistan, not to mention lives of countless people, at stake? Does not add up, with the recent adverse conditions in Pakistan. Have to agree with IK.

Jimmy J | 7 years ago | Reply Imran Khan is right about this, any unfortunate incident in Lahore will seal future of international sports in Pakistan for another 10 years. Its now around 8 years since the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, that too in Lahore. And if after all of PCB's insistence to hold the PSL final with "foolproof" security in Lahore, something untoward happens one needs little effort to imagine the impact on future of sports in Pakistan. Some food for thought, for all the empty jingoism being displayed by some contributors here.

M.S. | 7 years ago | Reply PTI will never win any seat of Lahore in future election.

Fahad Khawaja | 7 years ago | Reply IK is suffering from Nawaz Sharif phobia. This disease is cureless. Any type of stupid statement can be expected from him. Nation should stay relaxed.

Lolz | 7 years ago | Reply Dear ET, I haven't seen much criticism from cricket lovers as you have tried to articulate and instead of repeating the same thing again and again in your news item, you need to please focus on the actual point. Cricket won't come by such stunts as it has never come in the past decade. This is merely a Punjab stunt to differentiate it from the rest of the country but it has sent out a very negative message to the international community. I live in UK and everyone around here now says the thing that Punjab perhaps dominate the whole country. Very bad.

Adnan | 7 years ago | Reply When shall this nation get rid of this psycho politician? His every move is for the destruction of Pakistan. There should be no doubt that he is working on agenda of enemies of Pakistan.

Irfan_Sydney | 7 years ago | Reply Imran Khan is right. At the moment country is not safe for foreign players. This is the main reason He wants his children not to live with him in Pakistan .

Syme | 7 years ago | Reply So basically Khan Sb is endorsing the Sri Lankan team attack. As Security is an impossible task. For a day, if roads are blocked for a commoner then it's a problem. If same is done for faisal vaada then it's OK.

Dastan | 7 years ago | Reply He is right, and I have been saying all along the environment is just not right to hold any international matches. One game under tight security won't make international cricket return to pak anytime sooner unfortunately.

Pakistani | 7 years ago | Reply @Ali: At the same time, it is really childish to assume that this one match circus will bring International cricket back. This is a total waste of public funds and resources. People are talking about projecting soft image etc. Deployment by thousands and high visibility of police, para military and military around and inside stadium will not be a reflection of soft image but more of a mini invasion.

F Khan | 7 years ago | Reply @Tahir:Where was the great khan when doing dharnas and rallies? did he think of the terror threats and public safety then? his statement looks political rather then meaningful.

BilalBerberi | 7 years ago | Reply Though I am among those who staunchly appose IK's political stances but this of his view is worth accepting. A cricket match in a battlefeild-like Gaddafi Stadium will produce very negative message to the world and if only, may Allah SWT forbids, a patakha broke out there will be no international cricket in Pakistan forever or at least for upcoming 10 to 20 years and thus Pakistan will be deprived of entering in such huge economically desirable venture.

BrainBro | 7 years ago | Reply Very unfortunate, that the people of Pakistan gave him their votes. Hopefully, in the next elections, the people will show him his true place.

Ali | 7 years ago | Reply @Tahir My dear PTI fanatic, You say it will be end of cricket in Pakistan. Can you please tell me how much cricket has been played in Pakistan in the past decade? None. Zero. So how can we go down from zero??

Common Pakistani | 7 years ago | Reply His point is valid! Decision-makers are not interested for real public-interest measures. International level events would only resume in Pakistan if the government overcame the menace of terrorism and ever-deteriorating law and order situation in the country instead of making cosmetic security arrangements

F Khan | 7 years ago | Reply IK is right, the PCL final is not worth the risk,But can he explain why did he bring out thousand on the streets in the name of dharna and rallies with an imminent risk of terror exposing thousands of lives.What was right then which is not right now?

Tahir | 7 years ago | Reply He is right. Even if a " Patakha" goes off , that's it. That's the end of International Cricket in Pakistan. You can't provide that much security to each and every game. That's ridiculous.

Ali | 7 years ago | Reply Chinese president's visit, Imran announces dharna. Turkish president's visit, Imran boycotts. Special session on Kashmir, Imran boycotts. PSL final in Lahore, Imran wants to shut it down. What is wrong with this man?

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