FO condemns unwarranted case against Zainab Abbas in India

Baloch reminds India its responsibility to provide favourable environment to Pakistani team as host country for WC

With regards to the Zainab Abbas situation, a well-known Pakistani cricket presenter with international recognition, who had to curtail her stay in India, the Foreign Office (FO) has expressed its concern over the case filed against her in India, calling it “not an appreciable step”.

FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, during her regular briefing on Thursday, stressed that India, as the host country for the ICC World Cup 2023, has the responsibility to ensure the safety and a favourable environment for the Pakistani cricket team.

🔴LIVE: Spokesperson's Weekly Press Briefing 12-10-23 at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad https://t.co/WVBnyczanR

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) October 12, 2023

Zainab Abbas had attributed her early departure from India to "personal reasons". However, certain reports in the Indian media suggested that security concerns played a role in her decision. These concerns surfaced following a complaint filed in Delhi by a local lawyer, accusing her of posting "derogatory" tweets regarding the Hindu faith in the past. The complaint was based on screenshots of tweets allegedly made by an account associated with Abbas back in 2014.

Also read: Cricket presenter Zainab Abbas ‘leaves’ India

The FO spokesperson reiterated that the case filed against Zainab Abbas in India is an unwarranted development, as she has been unfairly implicated in the matter. The ministry remains in contact with Indian authorities regarding visa arrangements for Pakistani journalists and fans, she added.

An official from the ICC, C Rajshekhar Rao, had confirmed Zainab's departure from India, asserting that it was for personal reasons and not a deportation. However, he did not provide details on the specific reasons for her departure or her current whereabouts.

According to an Indian news website, lawyer Vineet Jindal filed a cyber complaint against Zainab with the New Delhi police's cyber cell on October 4, requesting the registration of a case against her under various sections of the law related to "making disparaging remarks about Hinduism and anti-India statements."

Complaint against @ZAbbasOfficial filed by Advocate & Social Activist @vineetJindal19 with cyber cell Delhi Police.Requesting to lodge FIR under section 153A,295,506,121 IPC and sec67 IT Act for making derogatory remarks for Hindu faith and beliefs and for anti -Bharat… https://t.co/vctiV98wBT pic.twitter.com/f9C6I0OMuD

— Adv.Vineet Jindal (@vineetJindal19) October 5, 2023

On October 7, Jindal shared a redacted version of another letter he sent to the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah, urging action against the Pakistani presenter for her alleged anti-India statements.

Also read: To be sorry or not to be sorry: Zainab Abbas' old anti-India tweets divide the internet

A Pakistani news channel, citing anonymous sources, reported that Zainab Abbas vehemently denied the allegations and asserted that she had been unjustly singled out. It was also noted that her past social media activity had been taken out of context and was unrelated to her work as a presenter.