Published 09:47 IST, July 6th 2019
Imran Khan's Minister cries foul over 'anti-Pakistan' banners during Pak-Afg World Cup match after 'Justice of Balochistan' banner appears in England
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met the British High Commissioner to Islamabad and raised the issue of displaying anti-Pakistan banners and the disrespectful attitude shown by some spectators towards the national cricket team during a World Cup match with Afghanistan in England last week.
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Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with the British High Commissioner to Islamabad and cried foul over the displaying of 'anti-Pakistan' banners and the disrespectful attitude shown by some spectators towards the national cricket team during a World Cup match with Afghanistan in England last week.
In his meeting with Thomas Drew here on Thursday, Qureshi "specifically highlighted that the use of sports venues for malicious propaganda was unacceptable", a Foreign Office statement said.
"The Foreign Minister raised the issue of anti-Pakistan banners and unruly conduct of a certain group of spectators towards Pakistan cricket team and its players," it said.
The incident occurred after a major scuffle broke out between Pakistan and Afghanistan fans outside the Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds amid the ongoing Cricket match between the two teams on June 29.
West Yorkshire Police launched a probe into the incident and arrested three persons.
ICC has reportedly stated that the fight broke out between Pakistan and Afghanistan fans after a plane flew above the Leeds stadiums flashing banners to help in 'ending the disappearance of Balochistan from Pakistan'.
As per reports, a plane flew about the Cricket ground during Pakistan vs Afghanistan match, putting banners which were calling to help end the enforced disappearance of Balochistan in Pakistan and "Justice for Balochistan".
In a video posted by Pakistan-based journalist, the banner can be seen flying through the sky.
On June 24 a vudei surfaced on social media in which Pakistani cricket fans could be seen tearing down posters put up by Balochistan activists outside the Lord's Cricket Ground in London.
The posters read, "Help end enforced disappearances in Pakistan". While tearing down the posters, the angry fans also shouted slogans "Long Live Pakistan Army".
The protests were raised to highlight the harrowing human rights condition in Pakistan. Protestors distributed leaflets outside the stadium ahead of the clash between Pakistan and South Africa, to raise awareness about enforced disappearances of Baloch and other ethnic/religious minorities in Pakistan.
(With PTI inputs)
08:45 IST, July 6th 2019