Latest news with #ShahbazSharif-led
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Hockey: Pakistan government unlikely to allow teams to travel to India for Asia Cup, Junior World Cup, says report
Pakistan govt unlikely to allow hockey teams to travel to India (Image via IANS) Pakistan 's participation in two upcoming international hockey tournaments in India looks increasingly unlikely due to heightened political tensions between the two countries following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. As per news agency IANS' report, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had sought government clearance to send teams for the Senior Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar (August 27–September 7) and the FIH Junior World Cup in Chennai (November–December). However, a senior official told Telecom Asia Sport, 'There is no chance the Shahbaz Sharif-led government will permit the national hockey team in this geo-political situation. ' Tensions escalated after the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam led to missile and drone exchanges between India and Pakistan in early May. Though the conflict led to a ceasefire, safety concerns remain a key reason behind the likely denial of clearance. Sources said the PHF may appeal to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to move the events to a neutral venue such as Malaysia or Oman. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo But the chances are slim. 'PHF will try to get the events out of India, but there are very slim chances of that coming about as Malaysia and Oman do not have the requisite money to bid for the events, which is close to 100K dollars,' PHF sources said, as quoted by IANS. Pakistan's Youth Affairs head Rana Mashood said, 'We wish that the Pakistan hockey team also defeat India in their den, but after the recent tension, it would not be conducive to send the team to India.' Poll Should Pakistan participate in the upcoming hockey tournaments in India despite the current political tensions? Yes, sports should prevail over politics No, safety concerns are more significant Olympian Hanif Khan added, 'After the recent war, Pakistan should not send its team to India because it will not be safe, and we cannot trust India.' Head coach Tahir Zaman said, 'Our players are training separately, and we are waiting for government permission. Our preparation will be complete, but it's a government decision which we will follow.' For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pak set to bar hockey team from India events
The Pakistan government is likely to reject a request from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to allow the national team to compete in two major hockey events in India, citing escalating political tensions between the two countries. Pakistan is scheduled to participate in the Asia Cup, set to be held in Rajgir, India, from 27 August to 7 September. The PHF has formally sought clearance from the government to send the squad. Later this year, Pakistan is also due to compete in the FIH (International Hockey Federation) Junior World Cup, scheduled for November in Chennai. However, sources said the Shahbaz Sharif-led coalition government is unlikely to grant permission. A senior official told Telecom Asia Sport ( "There is no chance the Sharif-led government will allow the national hockey team to travel in this geo-political situation." According to sources, members of the coalition government believe it would be unsafe to send the team after the recent military flare-up between the neighbours Sources indicated that if the government declines permission, the PHF plans to formally request the FIH and Asian Hockey Federation to relocate both events to a neutral venue such as Malaysia or Oman. The official said: "PHF will try to get the events out of India, but there are very slim chances of that happening because Malaysia and Oman do not have the funds to bid for the tournaments, which require close to 100,000 dollars. Pakistan last toured India in 2023 for the Asian Champions Trophy, finishing fifth among six teams, with India winning the title. No security incidents were reported during that tournament. Reports from India have suggested that their sports ministry was prepared to grant Pakistan permission to participate, and Hockey India confirmed it already had approvals from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Home Ministry. But ever since these reports surfaced, sections of the Indian media have launched scathing criticism of the clearance, fueling serious apprehension within Pakistan's sporting circles.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'A water bomb': Pakistan Senator Syed Ali Zafar explains impact of India suspending Indus pact
NEW DELHI: Pakistani senator Syed Ali Zafar has urged the Shahbaz Sharif-led government to "defuse" the "water bomb" dropped by India when it suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. While addressing the Senate, the senator from opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) highlighted that one out of ten people is dependent on water from the Indus river system and warned that a large population could die of hunger if the crisis is not addressed. "If we don't solve this water crisis now, we could die of hunger. The reason is that the Indus Basin is our lifeline. Three-fourths of our water comes from outside the country. Out of every ten people, nine are living their lives based on international border basins," Zafar said. "According to statistics, 90% of our crops depend on this water. All our power projects and dams are built on this water. That's why we must understand that this is like a water bomb hanging over us — we have to defuse it, we have to resolve it,"he added. Following the Pahalgam terror attack , which claimed 26 lives, India announced a series of measures, including putting the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, to send a strong message to Pakistan over its support for cross-border terrorism. India and Pakistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire after escalated cross-border tensions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. While Pakistan accepted the ceasefire without conditions, India has maintained several punitive measures against its neighbour. The ceasefire was the result of direct engagement between Indian and Pakistani officials, with Islamabad agreeing to the terms with "no preconditions, no postconditions, and no links to other issues." ALSO READ | 'Ties are built on basis of sensitivities to each other's concerns': India's strong message to Turkey, China for backing Pakistan The Indus Waters Treaty allowed Pakistan to control waters from three western rivers — the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — while granting India access to the eastern rivers — Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas. These waters are vital for Pakistan's irrigation and drinking needs, supplying about 80% of the country's water. India's decision to suspend the World Bank-backed IWT meant that water flow from the western rivers and their tributaries was disrupted wherever India had control. Although natural channels continue to flow, India's move has reportedly impacted drinking water supply in some parts of Pakistan amid the scorching summer. Islamabad termed the suspension of the pact an 'act of war,' while New Delhi stated that the IWT would remain in abeyance until *'cross-border terrorism by Pakistan is credibly and irrevocably stopped.'
