LAHORE Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is considering not to send its hockey team on tour of India in the wake of negative campaign by Indian media in the aftermath of Mumbai terror attack.

In a statement here on Saturday the Secretary,PHF, Muhammad Asif Bajwa said `If the Indian government and its media did not change its stance towards Pakistan then we would also be compelled to change our stance in accordance with the public sentiments and may not allow our team to visit India.`

Bajwa further said that PHF have very cordial relations with the Indian Hockey Federation and both the federations want bilateral series between the two countries but the Indian government and its medias campaign to malign Pakistan would force the PHF not to allow its team to undertake the tour of India.

`The series between the two countries will not only promote the game in the region but would also develop a temperament among the players to play in a pressure game. But the way the Indian government and its media has launched a campaign against Pakistan, it would be difficult for us to allow our team to tour India. We the hockey community strongly condemn this attitude of the Indian government,` he asserted.

`If they persist with the same conduct then we have to abandon our tour of India, he added.

Bajwa said that sports should be kept separate from politics otherwise it would be devastating for the game in the region.

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan hostilities
Updated 28 Feb, 2026

Afghan hostilities

The need is for an immediate ceasefire and substantive negotiations, with the onus on the Taliban to rein in cross-border attacks.
Cutting taxes
28 Feb, 2026

Cutting taxes

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s plan to cut direct taxes for businesses in the next budget acknowledges the strain...
KCR challenge
28 Feb, 2026

KCR challenge

THE Karachi Circular Railway is being discussed again. It seems that the project, or, rather, the hopes of it, are...
A collective effort
Updated 27 Feb, 2026

A collective effort

CONSIDERING the relentless wave of terrorist attacks Pakistan has been facing over the past few weeks, the...
Criminalising criticism
27 Feb, 2026

Criminalising criticism

ISLAMABAD seems to have developed quite a thin skin. A letter sent to the prime minister on Wednesday by leading...
Utter chaos
27 Feb, 2026

Utter chaos

THE PTI is in disarray. The lack of discipline within its ranks, which it has long refused to address, is finally...