World Cup 2023: Bilawal to Lead High-Level Committee to Discuss Pakistan’s Participation

Sat Jul 08 2023
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ISLAMABAD: The federal government has constituted a committee under the leadership of Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to deliberate on Pakistan’s prospective participation in the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup-2023.

This highly-anticipated tournament is set to be hosted by India, as per local media reports.

Amidst persisting tensions and severed ties between Pakistan and India, with the latter’s security concerns looming large, the participation of the national cricket team in this prestigious event is now shrouded in uncertainty.

Scheduled to start this October, the World Cup will feature an enthralling 50-over matches. Nevertheless, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has emphasized that the government’s consent is an imperative prerequisite before the squad can be dispatched to India—a nation that has remained Pakistan’s arch-rival since the fateful partition of 1947.

In an effort to seek the necessary clearance for Pakistan’s inclusion in the tournament, the cricket governing body recently dispatched a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, respectfully requesting his consideration.

Graciously acknowledging this appeal, Prime Minister Shehbaz promptly nominated a distinguished panel of experts tasked with meticulously deliberating upon the viability of the country’s representation in India.

According to sources, the committee, expertly helmed by Foreign Minister Bilawal, will proffer comprehensive recommendations on all aspects related to the WC event taking place in India. Based on these recommendations, the decision regarding Pakistan’s participation in the tournament will be duly determined.

It is further revealed that the conclusive recommendations will be submitted to the Prime Minister for his final approval, thereby consolidating the government’s stance on this pressing matter.

The distinguished committee, headed by Foreign Minister Bilawal, encompasses notable figures such as Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordination Ehsan-ur-Rehman Mazari, as well as chiefs from the national security apparatus and the esteemed foreign secretary.

In its correspondence dispatched through the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), the PCB has also sought the government’s evaluation of the expected security arrangements at the five designated venues offered to Pakistan for their World Cup matches.

As per the recently unveiled schedule by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the much-anticipated clash between Pakistan and India is slated for the 15th of October, set to captivate the cricketing world in Ahmedabad—an event eagerly awaited by fans and pundits alike.

Five venues have been earmarked for Pakistan matches —

October 12 – vs Qualifier in Hyderabad

October 15 – vs India in Ahmedabad

October 20 – vs Australia in Bengaluru

October 23 – vs Afghanistan in Chennai

October 27 – vs South Africa in Chennai

October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata

November 5 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru

November 12 – vs England in Kolkata

 

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