ISLAMABAD: A lawyer in Pakistan’s Gujranwala city has filed a petition against the national cricket team, as reported by local media outlets on Wednesday, seeking treason charges against the players for their lackluster performance in the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup.
Cricket in Pakistan is not just a sport but is deeply embedded in the nation’s identity and constitutes a significant source of pride. The performance of Pakistan’s team not only influences the collective mood but also acts as a barometer of national esteem, with victories celebrated as monumental achievements and defeats often taken to heart by the populace.
The national team’s performance has come under scrutiny since faltering at last year’s Asia Cup. The players also left a deep sense of disappointment among fans following a defeat by Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup in India.
The team’s inconsistency, particularly in crucial matches, has since led to public and media criticism regarding strategies, selections and individual performances. The court case against the players was registered after two consecutive losses to the USA and India in the T20 World Cup.
“The petitioner expressed deep concern over the disappointing performance of the national cricket team, calling it a waste of money and a betrayal of the nation’s trust,” Samaa TV said. “The petition accuses the team of putting at stake millions of rupees and the integrity of the nation, alleging that the players and team management prioritized financial gain over the country’s honor.”
“Furthermore, the petition highlights the severe hurt caused to the sentiments of the people during matches against America and India, citing these performances as particularly egregious,” it added. “It calls for a ban on the team until a thorough inquiry is conducted by the interior secretary and a comprehensive report is completed.”
According to The Express Tribune, the lawyer has called for treason charges against skipper Babar Azam and other members of the team.
The court has asked for a report from the police on the registration of the case and directed to file it by June 21.
Pakistan lawyer files treason petition against national cricket team following T20 World Cup setbacks
https://arab.news/gqrxh
Pakistan lawyer files treason petition against national cricket team following T20 World Cup setbacks
- The petition says millions have been spent on cricket players who have undermined the integrity of the country
- It calls for a ban on the team until an inquiry is carried out by a high-level official who compiles a detailed report
Pakistan, Canada explore deeper mineral investment as Reko Diq mine project advances
- Canadian envoy cites Reko Diq as model for expanding Pakistan-Canada mineral cooperation
- Islamabad pitches vast copper-gold reserves as economic lifeline after years of stalled development
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Canada are exploring deeper cooperation in the minerals and energy sectors as Islamabad accelerates efforts to revive long-delayed mining projects, including the Reko Diq copper-gold mine, one of the world’s largest undeveloped mineral deposits, according to a statement from Pakistan’s Information Ministry this week.
The Reko Diq copper-gold project is one of the world’s largest undeveloped mineral deposits, with estimated reserves of around 5.9 billion tons of ore containing both copper and gold. The project, in Balochistan’s Chagai District, was stalled for over a decade amid international legal disputes but was reconstituted in 2022 with Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold holding a 50 percent stake alongside Pakistani federal and provincial partners.
Recent steps toward implementation include multilateral financing arrangements involving international banks and institutions, and major equipment contracts, such as a $440 million deal with Japan’s Komatsu for mining machinery, signaling readiness for construction phase activities starting in 2026. Last month, Washington approved $1.25 billion in US Export-Import Bank financing for Reko Diq, with the package also expected to unlock up to $2 billion in US equipment and service exports for the project.
First production is expected by late 2028 under the revived partnership, with estimates suggesting annual output of around 200,000 tons of copper and significant gold yields once operations scale up. This project is central to Islamabad’s strategy to position mining as a pillar of economic recovery, as it hosts international mineral investment forums, seeks partnerships with Western and Gulf countries, and signs cooperation agreements on critical minerals, including with the United States. Officials see large-scale mining projects as potential drivers of exports, foreign exchange earnings and job creation in a country grappling with debt pressures and slow growth.
Against this backdrop, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik met Canada’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Tarik Ali Khan, on Wednesday to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in mining and energy, the information ministry said.
“The success of Barrick Gold at Reko Diq is a strong example to build upon Pakistan–Canada mineral cooperation,” the high commissioner said, according to the statement, adding that Canada was actively working to encourage more Canadian companies to engage with Pakistan’s mining sector.
The envoy said Canada’s ministry of natural resources was ready to support cooperation with Pakistan, noting that Canadian expertise in large-scale mining, environmental standards and community development could play a role as Pakistan opens up its mineral sector. He also said Canada was encouraging participation in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum to attract global investors.
The Canadian high commissioner also invited Pakistan to participate in the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention in 2026, one of the world’s largest mining investment forums, calling it an opportunity to showcase Pakistan’s mineral potential to international investors.
Petroleum Minister Malik welcomed Canadian interest, saying technical expertise and intellectual capital would help strengthen Pakistan’s systems and boost investor confidence, particularly among international mining companies, the statement said.
Both sides also discussed cooperation in the energy sector, with Canada offering technical assistance, according to the statement.
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