Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday said Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir facilitated the talks between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, resulting in the latter’s cricket team deciding to stay in Islamabad for the ongoing
“Our field marshal himself spoke to their defence minister, secretary and convinced them and assured them fully of [providing] security,” Naqvi, also the Pakistan Cricket Board chief, said while speaking on the Senate floor.
Sri Lanka’s cricket board said late last night that its team’s ongoing tour of Pakistan will proceed, averting a crisis-like situation.
The visiting team’s manager eventually dismissed reports about some players returning home in the wake of Tuesday’s suicide bombing in Islamabad, which killed at least 12 and injured 36 others.
Addressing the Senate, Naqvi recalled that the Sri Lankan team yesterday “decided to return after the bomb blast occurred”.
“Our interaction with them began […] their board, players and everyone decided with great bravery to stay here,” the PCB added.
More to follow
