Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar opened up about Indian social media campaign during the ICC World Cup 2023 over mass deportation of undocumented Afghans from Pakistan.
While speaking during a press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, Kakar was asked if Pakistan would engage Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crime Wing to counter the campaign, which gained traction especially after Afghanistan defeated Pakistan during the World Cup, in India.
“These things happen in sports. I think sports should be kept in its spirit. I don’t think this was an attack on the security of Pakistan,” responded Kakar.
“There are many players who have learned cricket and got training in Pakistan which could have led to that social response. Our people also said some things but I don’t thing we should lead such a campaign on state level. It is better that things get normalised through people to people contact,” he added.
Earlier, Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran, who bagged the award for player of the match for his match-winning 87 against Pakistan, also dedicated his award to the “Afghan refugees” who were sent back by Pakistan.
During the player of the match award ceremony, Zadran told the broadcasters: “I want to dedicate this player of the match award to those peoples whom Pakistan have sent back to Afghanistan.”
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi also dedicated his side's seven-wicket win over Netherlands to the thousands of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
"Right now, a lot of refugee peoples are in struggle so we are watching their videos and we are sad for that and we are with them in this tough time," Shahidi said after the game. "I dedicate this win to those refugees that are in pain and also to all country peoples back home."
It must be noted that around two million Afghans are thought to be in Pakistan without documentation.