Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday criticized the Indian government for politicizing the cricket in the midst of a growing controversy following the recent Pakistan India match in the Asia Cup 2025.
When he spoke at the launch of the publication ‘Strategic Calculation: Perspectives on Deterrence and Escalation After Pahagam-May 2025’ in Islamabad, he called the modified government to use cricket as a political tool.
“Modi -regime tried to politicize cricket sports, but it was just a failed attempt to save himself from embarrassment,” he said. He also cited Pakistan’s military reaction to recent escalations as a view of its defense functions.
“Pakistan proved his military dominance by shooting six plans in defense and then responding to Indian aggression and forcing it to request a ceasefire,” he claimed. The minister added that such theater in the sports field was typical of regimes that were morally compromised.
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“A nation that is morally bankrupt and has no values will always resort to this kind of theater in the sports field when it is unable to win in the military field,” Tarar said.
Referring to India’s silence on Jaffar Express -Capture – described as one of the worst events in recent memory – contrasted Tarar Pakistan’s consistent attitude towards terrorism with what he described as New Delhi’s selective condemnation.
“As victims of terrorism, Pakistan expressed concern about the Pahagam incident. But on the contrary, New Delhi was reluctant to even condemn the Jaffar Express attack,” he noted.
When he repeated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, he said, “Pakistan has always been the desire for peace, but every time tested thanks to our tapping armed forces, we have passed with flying colors.” He emphasized that Pakistan would continue to play the role of both a “deterrent effect” and a “balancing” in the region.
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The controversy appeared after reports that match Judge Andy Pycroft had instructed both captains not to shake hands before Sunday’s high-stakes meeting. The move initially went unnoticed, but drew attention after Indian players left the field without participating in the usual handshake after the match.
Indian Captain Suryakumar Yadav escalated further tensions with political remarks after the match and said, “We stand with the victims of the Pahagam attack and their families. We dedicate today’s victory to our armed forces.”
In protest, Pakistan-captain Salman Agha refused to attend the presentation after the match hosted by former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, reportedly in response to India’s refusal to participate in the handshake.
