THE victory of Muhammad Asif in the IBSF World Snooker championship is a creditable feat given the dismal record of Pakistan in the recent past in more popular sports such as cricket, hockey and squash.

The stage has come when the electronic media, in particular, and the nation, in general, make wild celebrations over the victories of Pakistan against lowly-ranked nations in different sports.

However, it is the duty of the Pakistani media to inform the people without misleading them. Making people believe that Pakistan has become the world champion in snooker is unethical, non-professional and in a way deceiving the nation. National pride should not take precedence over providing factual information.

A cursory glance at the website of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), the governing body of professional snooker and billiards, shows Ronnie O’ Sullivan of England as the current world champion of snooker by virtue of his victory at the World Snooker championship in May 2012.

The tournament which Muhammad Asif has won is IBSF World Snooker championship, which is an amateur championship.

Muhammad Asif does not figure in the latest world rankings of the 165 snooker players released by the WPBSA.

The euphoria by the people is understandable but media organisations should not disseminate incorrect information in pursuit of ratings.

ARIF-UZ-ZAMAN     Karachi