National Assembly, Senate laud Sri Lanka for continuing cricket tour
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• Parliamentary affairs, law ministers table resolutions in both houses
• Naqvi says COAS played key role in talks with Sri Lankan officials
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly (NA) and the Senate on Thursday passed resolutions expressing gratitude to the government of Sri Lanka and the country’s cricket board for not recalling its cricket team, which is currently in Pakistan to play a cricket series and a tri-nation tournament.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry presented the resolution in the NA hours after Law Minister Azam Nazeer presented a similar resolution in the Senate.
Through the resolution, the NA expressed gratitude for the personal efforts of the president of Sri Lanka, the country’s defence minister, and the entire government of Sri Lanka for their decision to continue the cricket tour of Pakistan.
“The House appreciates the Sri Lanka Cricket Board’s decision to proceed with the tour despite all threats,” the resolution stated.
The resolution also acknowledged the zeal and dedication of Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, for their all-out efforts in ensuring the successful continuation of the tour.
Earlier in the day, while speaking in the Senate Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir facilitated talks with Sri Lanka, which led to the visiting team’s decision to stay in Pakistan for the ongoing matches.
According to media reports, Sri Lankan players on Wednesday wanted to return to their homeland due to security concerns following a suicide attack at the Islamabad Judicial Complex that claimed 12 lives and injured many others.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said they were thankful to the Sri Lankan government “which assured us that it stands by Pakistan in the war on terror and did not recall its team.”
Mr Tarar read out the resolution, which recognised the historic and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and appreciated the spirit of sportsmanship and mutual trust that continues to strengthen ties between the two nations.
Mr Naqvi said Sri Lanka’s cricket board confirmed late last night that its team’s ongoing tour of Pakistan would proceed.
“Our field marshal himself spoke to their defence minister and secretary, convincing them and assuring them fully of [providing] security,” Mr Naqvi, who also serves as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, said while speaking on the Senate floor.
He recalled that the Sri Lankan team had initially “decided to return after the bomb blast occurred”.
“Our interaction with them began, and their board, players, and everyone decided with great bravery to stay here,” the PCB chairman added.
“They had many concerns, but we tried to allay all of those,” Mr Naqvi said, highlighting that Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had spoken to his country’s team to convince them.
Mr Naqvi revealed that Field Marshal Munir had played a key role in the visiting team’s decision to continue the tour.
“Now, the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and Islamabad Police are jointly managing their security, and we are providing them the same kind of protocol and protection as our state guests,” the interior minister said.
Naqvi meets SL team
Later, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Sri Lankan players and termed their act of continuing with series — a victory of peace and defeat of terrorists, as Zimbabwe’s squad also reached in Islamabad to participate in the triangular series.
Mr Naqvi, along with State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Sri Lankan High Commissioner retired Rear Admiral Fred Siriweera, visited Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, where hosts Pakistan and Sri Lankan team were practicing ahead of second ODI, which will be played on Friday (today).
Kashif Abbasi in Rawalpindi also contributed to this report
Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2025
