Hammad hits out at Maryam over criticism following cancellation of NZ tour

Energy Minister Hammad Azhar on Friday came down hard on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz following her criticism as the New Zealand cricket team abandoned a historic tour to Pakistan.

"I will make them respect the Pakistani passport," Maryam sarcastically tweeted, mocking Prime Minister Imran Khan over his previous remarks.

Hammad responded to Maryam's tweet by saying: "Hate us as much as you want but show some loyalty to the land of which's wealth you looted to make all your properties aboard."

Earlier today, New Zealand unilaterally decided to abandon its tour of Pakistan citing "security concerns". The first One-day International (ODI) between the two sides was set to be played in Rawalpindi today.

“Earlier today, the New Zealand Cricket informed us they had been alerted to some security alert and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series,” according to an official statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan Government made foolproof security arrangements for all visiting teams. We have assured the New Zealand Cricket of the same. The Pakistan Prime Minister spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and informed her that we have one of the best intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team,” it added.

Read more: Pakistan sees int’l conspiracy behind cancellation of NZ cricket team’s tour

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, later in the day, said that the tour was cancelled under an international 'conspiracy'.

He said that he will not name the conspirators. However, he added that some forces wanted to make Pakistan a scapegoat after what had been happening in Afghanistan.

Also read: ‘Disappointed’ Ramiz, Babar react after New Zealand abandon Pakistan tour

He said that New Zealand's security in-charge contacted the government to say that they had a security threat regarding the tour. "We even requested them to continue the tour without spectators but they refused," he added.

Rashid said that Prime Minister Imran Khan also spoke to his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern, who told the premier that they think an attack could take place as soon as the team leaves the stadium.