PM Shehbaz hails ‘historic moment’ for Pakistan cricket

Published December 6, 2022
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif greets members of the victorious English cricket team during a dinner hosted in honour of both teams, on Monday night.—APP
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif greets members of the victorious English cricket team during a dinner hosted in honour of both teams, on Monday night.—APP

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted dinner in honour of English and Pakistan cricket teams on Monday and congratulated the visiting players for outplaying Pakistan in their first test match at Rawalpindi.

The prime minister said, “This is a historic moment, as after 17 years, we are having English team in Pakistan.” Unfortunately, their last visit was in 2005 when Pakistan was facing unbearable extremism and terrorist attacks, he said, adding that Pakistan was able to beat terrorism after paying huge sacrifices as tens of thousands of Pakistanis, including soldiers and civilians, laid their lives.

Mr Sharif said Pakistan enjoyed wonderful relations with Britain at different levels and cricket was one of them. He said the United Kingdom had always supported the people of Pakistan and their well-being. He expressed hope that the cricket team visit would go a long way in building bridges between Pakistan and the UK.

He expressed gratitude to the British High Comm­issioner and British government for supporting Pakistan cricket. He also hailed efforts of PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja to restore cricket in the country.

Congratulates English team on winning Pindi test

He appreciated English team’s capacity and wonderful cricket spirit.

On the occasion, Mr Sharif paid tribute to Pakistan’s cricket legends, including Fazal Mahmood, the hero of Oval and Hanif Mohammad, known as Little Master.

Bohra community

Earlier, the prime minister in a meeting with a delegation of the Dawoodi Bohra community called for joint efforts to purge the society of intolerance and for the promotion of brotherhood.

He said religious tolerance and harmony were the golden principles of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and were also part of Pakistan’s foundation and its foreign policy.

The delegation was led by Kumail Younus, the representative of the spiritual leader of Dawoodi Bohra community Mufaddal Saifuddin.

Calling it peace-loving community, Mr Sharif lauded their welfare services for Pakistan. He also appreciated the Bohra community’s role in the promotion of religious harmony and in socio-economic development of the country. He urged the community to fully take part in the relief and rehabilitation efforts for the flood victims.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...