Zainab Abbas clarifies departure from India amid security concerns

Lahore: Pakistani sports presenter Zainab Abbas has broken her silence and addressed the circumstances surrounding her sudden departure from India during the ongoing World Cup.

In a statement posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) on October 12, 2023, Ms. Abbas clarified that she had voluntarily left India due to concerns related to her safety, refuting any claims of deportation.

"I have always felt extremely fortunate and grateful for the opportunities to travel and present the sport. My experience in India was positive, and I was treated very well," Ms. Abbas shared on social media.

She went on to deny any official orders to leave India, asserting, "I was neither asked to leave nor was I deported. However, I felt intimidated and scared by the online reaction that was gaining momentum."

pic.twitter.com/gwwpdIRh2u

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 12, 2023

Ms. Abbas explained that there was no immediate threat to her safety, but she needed some time and space to reflect on the events that had transpired. She expressed regret and offered apologies to individuals who may have been hurt by her posts.

A day prior to Ms. Abbas's statement, on Thursday, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, a spokesperson for the Pakistani Foreign Office, strongly criticized New Delhi's involvement in a needless controversy surrounding the Pakistani presenter during the ongoing World Cup. Baloch emphasized that the decision to file a case against Zainab Abbas for her tweets was not an appropriate course of action.

She said, “Taking legal action against Zainab Abbas for her tweets is unwarranted, and she is being unjustly entangled in this matter,”.

 She underlined that it is the responsibility of the Indian government, as the host of the World Cup, to ensure security and create a conducive environment for the Pakistani cricket team.