In a recent weekly media briefing, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, a spokesperson for the Foreign Office, highlighted India's role as the host of the World Cup and stressed that ensuring security for the event is the responsibility of the Indian state.
Moreover, she emphasized that India has an obligation to create a conducive environment for the Pakistani cricket team during the tournament.
Regarding the recent controversy involving Zainab Abbas, a well-known sports presenter, the spokesperson expressed her view that the case against Zainab Abbas, related to an allegedly unnecessary tweet, was not a valid action.
She commented on the public outrage when Zainab Abbas left India due to safety concerns, particularly in light of her old anti-India tweets, stating that Zainab Abbas was unfairly being implicated in an unjustified case.
The Foreign Office spokesperson also mentioned that they are in contact with Indian authorities to facilitate the issuance of visas for Pakistani journalists and fans, urging India to expedite the visa process.
Zainab Abbas, a prominent sports presenter, recently left India citing safety concerns, which arose from accusations of making derogatory remarks on social media against India and the Hindu religion. Although she was in India to cover the ICC World Cup, her stay took an unexpected turn due to a complaint filed by an Indian lawyer. Zainab Abbas vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that she had been unfairly targeted.
The controversy surrounding Zainab Abbas has also involved the International Cricket Council (ICC), with some sources suggesting that the ICC was unable to prevent her deportation, partly due to what they perceive as "Indian propaganda." This development has added complexity to the situation.