Here’s what’s happening across the border: Pak cricketers win hearts as they play against ‘arrogant’ Afghans; Hindus in Karachi too are part of Muharram.
Cricket team garners praise for kind gesture
Pakistani Twitter users lauded the cricket team for not only winning a close Asia Cup tie against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi Friday but for also reaching out to Afghani bowler Aftab Alamat, who gave away the winning runs in the last over. The two countries have history in that Pakistan has been accused of aggravating the political crisis in Afghanistan since the late 1970s.
Pakistani Twitterati also targeted Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, accusing him of being unprofessional and being “arrogant”.
Journalist and author Syed Talat Hussain congratulated Pakistan but targeted the Afghans for their “cheap antics”.
Pakistan wins a great game against Afghanistan. Shoaib, the formidable match winner, does it again. Afghan team’s hostility and the cheap antics of Rashid Khan are something to keep in mind. pic.twitter.com/xYhznSiImB
— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) September 21, 2018
Zubair, a twitter user, criticised the Afghani team for “hostile behaviour” and said Pakistan still considered them their “brothers”.
Afghan Bowler Rashid Khan need to learn some ethics and need to read the History of Pakistan Cricket. They are new babies in town and reacting like kids. Clearly witnessed the hostility level in afghan players against Pakistan. Yet we consider them brothers.#PAKvAFG
— Zubair Afzal (@ZubairA_) September 21, 2018
Another user, Usmann, posted a screengrab from the match when both Shoaib Malik, who hit the winning runs, and Hassan Ali kneeled down to console Alamat, and praised the two for their gesture.
This epic pic shows that Brotherhood still lives between Pakistan & Afghanistan. What a kind gesture & sportsman spirit shown by Hassan Ali & Mailk despite of harsh attitude from some afghani players.. #PAKvAFG babar Rashid sarfraz Imam haris #PakVsAfghan pic.twitter.com/uzTErqMC5x
— usmann (@usmannghani) September 21, 2018
Not everyone, however, picked on the Afghan team, with some appreciating the fledgling team’s performance.
Adnan Malik, a Twitter user, said that this was “huge game” for the Afghanistan cricket team in wake of the country’s “long and difficult journey”.
That moment when @realshoaibmalik sat down to console Aftab was a beautiful sporting moment. Afg have had a long & difficult journey as a country & a cricket team &this was a huge game for them. Thats the kind of camaraderie we want to see on & off the field❤️ #PakVsAfghan
— adnanmalik (@adnanmalik) September 21, 2018
Ignited Ramblings, another Twitter user, posted an image of children in Afghanistan watching the match in front of a TV and mentioned that sports were a medium that allowed these kids to “look beyond war and religion”, terming Rashid Khan as their “Sachin”.
Such a powerfull picture. Afghani kids watching their idols in a small 5 inch screen tv ! Sports is such a powerful tool to inspire a generation of kids to look beyond war & religion opening up to endless possibilities. Rashid khan is definitely their Sachin!#PakVsAfghan pic.twitter.com/OduHBqhuMt
— HitWicket ! (@WalkingXception) September 22, 2018
India’s decision to pull out of talks receives flak
India’s decision to pull out of foreign ministerial-level talks with Pakistan, which was to happen on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly meet next week, has earned the ire of Pakistani Twitterrati.
The Indian decision to pull out of the talks came Friday, a day after the announcement of talks.
Journalist Omar.R.Quraishi said India came across as a petulant, small-minded nation not in the least bit interested in peace with its neighbour.
After this uncalled-for attack on Pakistan's new PM (who has NOT been in office for "a few months"), India comes across as petulant, small-minded and not the least bit interested in peace with its neighbour — in other words true to its unwieldy hegemonic self pic.twitter.com/RsHeqd9r8h
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) September 21, 2018
Pakistani politician and former diplomat, Sherry Rehman, condemned the move, saying that it was shameful that on “International Peace Day, India had refused to talk peace with Pakistan”.
Shame that on #InternationalPeaceDay India has refused to talk peace with Pakistan in even a routine manner at the @UN on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Running from talks won’t change the fact that this time Indian repression in Kashmir has been noticed in a UN report
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) September 21, 2018
Karachi’s Hindus are an important facet of Muharram
In the city of Karachi, the use of temples and contribution of members from the Hindu community during Muharram serve as unique ways through which Hindus and Muslims are brought together.
Taziyas, that are crafted during Muharram, are symbolic of the tomb of Imam Hussain, Prophet Muhammad’s grandson who is revered for his martyrdom in the battle of Karbala in Iraq. These replicas are then used during the processions by Shias who mourn his death.
Mai Jinnat, an ancient taziya, is made in the yard of a 100-year-old Mari Mata temple in the city, The Express Tribune reports. A specific area of the temple is dedicated solely for preparing taziyas. Generations of Hindu families have been involved in this practice that, the report says, show their love and devotion for an event, which has nothing do with their own religion.
It quotes Rajesh Badhshah, who narrates his family’s legacy of making taziyas as early as 1933 at the Mari Mata temple.
A month on, Pakistan takes stock PM Imran Khan’s performance
It’s been a little more than one month and nothing seems to working for Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government.
A report published in The News points out numerous incidents in this one month where Imran Khan has backtracked on his election promises. The report says that while Khan had vowed to shun the opulent Prime Minister’s official residence, he continues to reside at the Military Secretary House located in the same premises.
It adds that while the Prime Minister said he would not follow any protocol, six vehicles move with him in his convoy. The report further highlighted that Khan’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia was in breach of an announcement made by information and broadcasting minister, Fawad Chaudhry – a day after Khan took the oath – stating that the PM would make no foreign visits in the first three months.
The most hypocritical decision, the report said, was the removal of Atif Mian from the Economic Advisory Council, under pressure from religious groups, who wanted Mian out as he belongs to the Ahmadiyya Community.
The report also said that Khan’s promise, to keep the bureaucracy away from politics, were also proven empty as a district police officer was removed from his position because he did not apologise to first lady Bushra Maneka’s ex-husband Khawar Maneka.