City
Epaper

Qureshi expresses concern over anti-Pakistan banners at WC match

By IANS | Updated: July 5, 2019 14:15 IST

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met the British High Commissioner to Islamabad and expressed concerns over the display of anti-Pakistan banners during the June 29 cricket World Cup match against Afghanistan, media reports said on Friday.

Open in App

According to the reports, Qureshi told British envoy Thomas Drew here on Thursday that the use of the stadium for anti-Pakistan propaganda was an issue of concern for Islamabad and that it was against international norms and ethics, reports Xinhua news agency.

During the match in Leeds city, a private aircraft was seen flying over towing controversial banners against Pakistan, whose videos and pictures were circulated on social media.

On June 30, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement, saying: "The flying of anti-Pakistan banners and use of sports venues for such malicious propaganda is unacceptable."

During his meeting with Drew, Qureshi also discussed the "disrespectful attitude" the Pakistani players were subjected to during the match.

Nasty scenes were seen during and after the match when groups of people had been found attacking Pakistani spectators with punches, kicks, glass juice bottles, chairs and trash bins in and outside the stadium when they were celebrating Pakistan's victory in the nail-biting contest, according to reports.

Following the incident, Pakistan also urged relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring those responsible to account.

In response to Pakistan's call, the International Cricket Council (ICC) also expressed its displeasure about the incidents.

"We do not condone any sort of political messages at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup and will work with West Yorkshire police to deal with and understand why this has happened and to ensure it doesn't happen again," said a statement from the ICC.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: pakistaniccqureshiThomas DrewXinhua
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalChandigarh BJP Office Blast: Two Suspects Arrested for Grenade Blast; Drone Used to Smuggle Chinese Hand Grenade From Pakistan

CricketZimbabwe to Host Australia for Three-Match ODI Series in September; Check Full Schedule

CricketWest Indies Women’s Cricket Team Fined for Slow Over-Rate in 1st ODI Against Australia

InternationalUS State Department Announces Permanent Closure of Peshawar Consulate in Pakistan

CricketArshdeep Singh Fined by ICC After India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Win

International Realted Stories

InternationalMassive US air operation saves two stranded in Iran: Trump

InternationalPanama City Bridge Fire: Four Injured, One Missing After Fuel Tanker Truck Explodes on Canal Bridge

InternationalIran's supreme leader condemns assassination of IRGC intelligence chief

International"Pointing gun at our head and then wanting us to negotiate will never work for Iran": Tehran University's Professor on Trump's threats

InternationalUN alarmed by US rhetoric threatening attacks on Iranian power plants, bridges: Spokesperson