KARACHI: Sports presenter Zainab Abbas, who left India following a complaint registered against her by an Indian lawyer over “anti-Hindu” statements, on Thursday said she regretted her old social media posts.

Ms Abbas, who was working as a presenter with the International Cricket Council for the ongoing World Cup, left India on Oct 9, terming it as a personal decision.

She broke her silence in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, and quashed initial reports that she was deported.

“I was neither asked to leave nor was I deported,” she said. “However I felt intimidated and scared by the reaction that was unfolding online.

“And even though there was no immediate threat to my safety, my family, and friends from both sides of the border were concerned. I needed some space and time to reflect on what had transpired.

“I understand and deeply regret the hurt caused by the posts that were circulated. I wish to make clear that they do not represent my values or who I am as a person today.

“There is no excuse or space for such language, and I sincerely apologise to anyone who was offended. Also, I am truly grateful to those who were concerned and reached out during this challenging time.”

Ms Abbas had reported on Pakistan’s opening match against the Netherlands on Oct 6 in Hyderabad, but after a lawyer New Delhi lodged a police complaint against her last week over old tweets, she faced a huge backlash on social media, forcing her to cut short her trip.

Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office also expressed its concern over the case filed against Zainab in India, calling it “not an appreciable step”.

FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, during her regular briefing on Thursday, stressed that India, as the host country for the World Cup, has the responsibility to ensure the safety and a favourable environment for the Pakistani cricket team and other individuals who are visiting India in connection with this tournament.

“Regrettably, Pakistani sports presenter Ms Zainab was intimidated through the registration of an FIR against her on the basis of some attributed tweets made several years ago,” she said. “Such developments reflect the growing level of intolerance in Indian society and set a wrong precedent in the ICC tournaments.”

Visas for Pakistan fans and journalists were also delayed by India. A few journalists were issued visas on Thursday and Ms Baloch was hopeful that India “will fulfill its responsibilities as the host nation”.

“Pakistan has remained in contact with the Indian authorities and we have impressed on them to issue visas to all Pakistani journalists who have been accredited by the ICC and to Pakistani spectators who are in possession of valid tickets for these cricket matches,” she stated.—Sports ReporterKARACHI: Sports presenter Zainab Abbas, who left India following a complaint registered against her by an Indian lawyer over “anti-Hindu” statements, on Thursday said she regretted her old social media posts.

Ms Abbas, who was working as a presenter with the International Cricket Council for the ongoing World Cup, left India on Oct 9, terming it as a personal decision.

She broke her silence in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, and quashed initial reports that she was deported.

“I was neither asked to leave nor was I deported,” she said. “However I felt intimidated and scared by the reaction that was unfolding online.

“And even though there was no immediate threat to my safety, my family, and friends from both sides of the border were concerned. I needed some space and time to reflect on what had transpired.

“I understand and deeply regret the hurt caused by the posts that were circulated. I wish to make clear that they do not represent my values or who I am as a person today.

“There is no excuse or space for such language, and I sincerely apologise to anyone who was offended. Also, I am truly grateful to those who were concerned and reached out during this challenging time.”

Ms Abbas had reported on Pakistan’s opening match against the Netherlands on Oct 6 in Hyderabad, but after a lawyer New Delhi lodged a police complaint against her last week over old tweets, she faced a huge backlash on social media, forcing her to cut short her trip.

Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office also expressed its concern over the case filed against Zainab in India, calling it “not an appreciable step”.

FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, during her regular briefing on Thursday, stressed that India, as the host country for the World Cup, has the responsibility to ensure the safety and a favourable environment for the Pakistani cricket team and other individuals who are visiting India in connection with this tournament.

“Regrettably, Pakistani sports presenter Ms Zainab was intimidated through the registration of an FIR against her on the basis of some attributed tweets made several years ago,” she said. “Such developments reflect the growing level of intolerance in Indian society and set a wrong precedent in the ICC tournaments.”

Visas for Pakistan fans and journalists were also delayed by India. A few journalists were issued visas on Thursday and Ms Baloch was hopeful that India “will fulfill its responsibilities as the host nation”.

“Pakistan has remained in contact with the Indian authorities and we have impressed on them to issue visas to all Pakistani journalists who have been accredited by the ICC and to Pakistani spectators who are in possession of valid tickets for these cricket matches,” she stated.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2023