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
US freezes visa processing for 75 countries, media reports Pakistan included
- State Department announces indefinite pause on immigrant visas starting Jan 21
- Move underscores Trump’s hard-line immigration push despite close Pakistan-US ties
ISLAMABAD: The United States will pause immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries starting Jan. 21, the State Department said on Wednesday, with Fox News and other media outlets reporting that Pakistan is among the countries affected by the indefinite suspension.
The move comes as the Trump administration presses ahead with a broad immigration crackdown, with Pakistan included among the affected countries despite strong ongoing diplomatic engagement between Islamabad and Washington on economic cooperation, regional diplomacy and security matters.
Fox News, citing an internal State Department memo, said US embassies had been instructed to refuse immigrant visas under existing law while Washington reassesses screening and vetting procedures. The report said the pause would apply indefinitely and covers countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America.
“The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the US can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people,” the Department of State said in a post on X.
According to Fox News and Pakistan news outlets like Dawn, the list of affected countries includes Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Russia, Somalia, Brazil and Thailand, among others.
“The suspension could delay travel, study, and work plans for thousands of Pakistanis who annually seek US visas. Pakistani consulates in the US are expected to provide guidance to affected applicants in the coming days,” Dawn reported.
A State Department spokesman declined comment when Arab News reached out via email to confirm if Pakistan was on the list.
The Department has not publicly released the full list of countries or clarified which visa categories would be affected, nor has it provided a timeline for when processing could resume.
Trump has made immigration enforcement a central pillar of his agenda since returning to office last year, reviving and expanding the use of the “public charge” provision of US immigration law to restrict entry by migrants deemed likely to rely on public benefits.
During his previous term as president, Trump imposed sweeping travel restrictions on several Muslim-majority countries, a policy widely referred to as a “Muslim ban,” which was challenged in US courts before a revised version was upheld by the Supreme Court. That policy was later rescinded under the President Joe Biden administration.
The latest visa freeze marks a renewed hardening of US immigration policy, raising uncertainty for migrants from affected countries as Washington reassesses its screening and vetting procedures.
The freeze on visas comes amid an intensifying crackdown on immigration enforcement by the Trump administration. In Minneapolis last week, a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good, a US citizen, during a federal operation, an incident that has drawn nationwide protests and scrutiny of ICE tactics. Family members and local officials have challenged the federal account of the shooting, even as Department of Homeland Security officials defended the agent’s actions. The case has prompted resignations by federal prosecutors and heightened debate over the conduct of immigration enforcement under the current administration.
