Zainab Abbas clears the air after abrupt departure from India
Cricket
Says she just felt intimidated and left India for break
(Dunya News) – Pakistani sports presenter Zainab Abbas finally clears the air after her abrupt departure from India amid the ongoing world cup.
Taking to X (formerly called Twitter), Ms Abbas, who had to leave India due to reported security reasons, said, “I have always felt extremely fortunate and grateful for the opportunities to travel and present the sport. Experience in India was good and people treated me very well.”
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 12, 2023
She categorically denied the impression that she had been deported from India. “I was neither asked to leave nor was I deported.” However, I felt intimidated and scared by the reaction being stretched online, she added.
“There was no immediate threat to my safety. I needed some space and time to reflect on what had transpired,” she claimed.
She also apologised to the people who had been hurt by any of her posts.
Foreign Office viewpoint
A day earlier (Thursday), Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch expressed strong disapproval of New Delhi's involvement in an unnecessary controversy surrounding Pakistani presenter Zainab Abbas during the ongoing World Cup.
Baloch emphasised that the decision to register a case against Zainab Abbas for her tweets was not an appropriate course of action.
During her weekly press briefing, the spokesperson remarked, "Taking legal action against Zainab Abbas for her tweets is unwarranted, and she is being unjustly ensnared in this matter."
Baloch underlined that, as the host of the World Cup, it is the responsibility of the Indian government to ensure security. She further stressed that India should also create a conducive environment for the Pakistani cricket team.
