Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses the Federal Cabinet on February 4, 2026. SCREENGRAB
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, defending the decision to boycott the match against India in the T20 World Cup, on Wednesday said it was taken in solidarity with Bangladesh.
Pakistan came close to pulling out of the tournament after Bangladesh pulled out for refusing to play in India, citing security concerns.
The government eventually approved the team’s participation, but it prevented them from facing India in Colombo in a grand clash on 15 February.
“We have taken a clear stand regarding the T20 World Cup that we will not play the match against India,” he said while addressing the government.
“There should be no politics in sports,” he said. “We have taken this position after careful consideration,” he said, calling it an “appropriate decision.”
“We have taken a very considered position and we should absolutely stand by Bangladesh and I think it is a very appropriate decision.”
Despite opting out of the India match, Pakistan’s participation in the rest of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 signals a calibrated approach rather than a full boycott, after days of speculation linked to the Bangladesh issue and regional tensions.
Balochistan attack
Referring to the events since Saturday’s attacks across several places in Balochistan, the prime minister said 180 terrorists were “sent to hell”, while 17 security personnel were martyred and 31 civilians lost their lives.
“You saw what a disturbing event happened in Gwadar, that they martyred five women and children. They are so stone-hearted – they are not human at all.”
He said the nation would always remember the sacrifices of the martyrs, adding that it was the responsibility of the state to look after their heirs.
He said it must be remembered that since Pakistan had achieved victory in its May 2025 conflict against India, “our eastern neighbor – our enemy – and other khwarij want to become a thorn in Pakistan’s happiness and prosperity, but God willing, this will not happen and this terrorism will be completely eliminated.”
The premier said it must be remembered how laborers who had gone to Balochistan for livelihood and small children and women were killed, calling it a painful moment that had sent the entire nation into mourning.
“But in the same way, the nation stands completely like an iron-laden wall with its law enforcement agencies and army. There will come a day when these sacrifices will bear fruit and terrorism will be eliminated forever from the country.”
Iran and US tensions
Referring to the recent situation with Iran as the country’s tensions with the US escalate, the prime minister said Pakistan had played its full role in the matter. He said that he, the deputy prime minister and the field marshal had contacted and consulted with the Iranian leadership on various points.
“We played our full role as a brother that could have been played. In this, the role of Qatar, Egypt, Oman, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and all Islamic countries were also involved, and the whole effort is that there will be a way out through talks, which will end the threats that threaten the region and peace will be established.”
The Prime Minister conveyed the message of solidarity between the Government of Pakistan and the entire nation with the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support to the just cause of the Kashmiri people.
He said he would go to Azad Jammu and Kashmir himself to deliver a “nationwide message of solidarity”.
Meeting with KP CM
Prime Minister Shehbaz also spoke about his meeting with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday, adding that they had a “very good” discussion.
Reiterating his earlier offer of support to the chief minister, PM Shehbaz said he told CM Afridi: “You are the chief minister of a very beautiful and important province where the people are very great Pakistanis and they are brave and courageous who have made many sacrifices. In that regard, we kept one percent for in 2010’s 2010 terrorism allocation so you could look for the divisible National Finance Commission (NFC). means something.”
He said the Chief Minister was told that Rs800 billion had been given to KP over the years under NFC. Prime Minister Shehbaz added that CM Afridi assured him about the completion of the Safe City project.
The prime minister said the chief minister mentioned some delayed payments to the province, adding that he immediately tasked planning minister Ahsan Iqbal and the finance minister and secretary to hold a meeting and eliminate any payment shortfalls there were.
“Overall, it was a good meeting with him and there should be hope that the case will move forward.”
