ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday condemned “a barrage of propaganda” against Qatar which is currently hosting the first football World Cup that has ever been held in the Middle East, saying that his own country stood in solidarity with the Arab state.
Qatar won the right to host the tournament in 2010. Subsequently, it faced criticism over its treatment of migrant workers and faced questions about its human rights record.
The ruler of the Arab state, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, pointed out during the opening ceremony that the event had brought together people of different beliefs while praising everyone for setting aside their differences to celebrate diversity.
Yet, American actor Morgan Freeman also faced anger from his fans in the United States and Europe for participating in the World Cup inauguration ceremony which, according to some critics, symbolized his support to “an oppressive regime.”
“Unfortunate that Qatar is being subjected to a barrage of propaganda as host of FIFA World Cup,” said the Pakistani prime minister in a Twitter post. “It should rather be commended for wonderful arrangements for mega event & being a promoter of global peace & development. Pakistan stands in solidarity with HH Emir & [people] of Qatar.”
Besides extending moral support to Qatar, Pakistan also sent a military contingent to help the authorities in Doha make security arrangements for the tournament.
The South Asian country has also sent tens of thousands of flags belonging to various soccer playing nations along with a bunch of footballs that are used in World Cup matches.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino blamed Qatar’s critics in Western countries for “hypocrisy” ahead of the tournament, saying they had no moral authority to point fingers at other nations.
“I’m European,” he said. “For what we Europeans have been doing around the world in the last 3,000 years, we should be apologizing for the next 3,000 years before starting to give moral lessons to people.”
