ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday accused the Indian government of exploiting cricket for political purposes after the heated fallout from the Pakistan-India clash at the Asia Cup 2025.
Speaking at the launch of the book *Strategic Reckoning: Perspectives on Deterrence and Escalation Post-Pahalgam – May 2025* in Islamabad, Tarar said New Delhi’s conduct on the sports field reflected its failure on the military front.
“The Modi regime tried to politicise the sport of cricket, but it was nothing more than an attempt to cover its embarrassment,” he said. Tarar highlighted Pakistan’s military response earlier this year, claiming the country demonstrated its strength by downing six Indian aircraft and forcing New Delhi to seek a ceasefire.
He described the controversy as “theatrics typical of morally compromised regimes,” adding, “A nation that is morally bankrupt will always resort to such antics on the sports field when it cannot prevail militarily.”
Tarar also criticized India’s silence over the Jaffar Express hijacking, contrasting it with Pakistan’s public condemnation of the Pahalgam incident. “Pakistan has consistently stood against terrorism, while India applies selective standards,” he remarked.
Reiterating Pakistan’s stance, Tarar said the country desired peace but would always be ready to act as a “deterrent” and “balancer” in the region, crediting the armed forces for ensuring security and stability.
The handshake row began after reports emerged that match referee Andy Pycroft had advised both captains to avoid the pre-match gesture. However, the issue escalated when Indian players skipped the customary post-match handshake. Matters worsened after Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the victory to the armed forces in response to the Pahalgam attack.
In protest, Pakistan captain Salman Agha refused to attend the post-match presentation, further fueling the controversy.
how long this idiot spread lies to pakistani public when pakistan lost its all airbases and 27 aircrafts including f-16s. every one know who begged for ceasefire, not a single hit you unable to made to Indian bases, where India has destroyed 11 pakistani air bases and they not yet fully restored. Indian-also has destroyed pakistan nukes in kirana hills which surrounding areas felt 4.5 earthquake.
pakistani idiots talking lies made chutiya munir who is culprit as failed marshal who ahould be hangged.