In a move that has sparked significant controversy across social media platforms, India made the decision to deport Zainab Abbas, a highly regarded Pakistani presenter who had been actively reporting on the ongoing World Cup 2023. This decision came about due to allegations surrounding tweets that were posted nearly eight years ago, with the content of these tweets reportedly targeting the Hindu religion and India, as asserted by an Indian attorney.
Subsequently, the lawyer in question filed a formal cybercrime complaint against Zainab Abbas, urging the Delhi Police to initiate an FIR (First Information Report) against her for her past tweets. The media has been ablaze with coverage of this incident, which led to the unexpected relocation of the Pakistan-born presenter, who had been providing coverage for the prestigious event in India, to Dubai.
This situation has generated a wave of conjecture, with some sources speculating that the International Cricket Council (ICC) may be struggling to address what they perceive as Indian propaganda within the context of this World Cup. Zainab Abbas, a well-known presenter who has covered a multitude of international sporting events, now finds herself facing uncertainty regarding both the motives behind and the timing of the resurfacing of her old tweets. It remains unconfirmed whether these tweets were indeed authored by Zainab or not.
This incident has raised significant concerns regarding the principles of press freedom and the level of hospitality extended to international media personnel, particularly in the context of a globally watched event like the World Cup.