Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Thursday that Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, held discussions with Sri Lankan authorities, resulting in the Sri Lankan cricket team deciding to remain in Pakistan for the ongoing matches.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) announced last night that the tour would continue, following reports that several players were preparing to return home after the suicide bombing near a court in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Addressing the situation, Minister Naqvi told the Senate that the army chief had spoken to the Sri Lankan Defence Minister and Defence Secretary, assuring them of full security for the players.
He noted that the Sri Lankan team had initially decided to leave Pakistan following the blast.
“They had many concerns, but we tried to resolve them all,” Naqvi said, adding that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had also spoken to the Sri Lankan team and briefed them on security arrangements.
Following these discussions, the Sri Lankan team agreed to continue their tour, with the minister emphasizing that Field Marshal Munir had fulfilled his duties as Army Commander.
Naqvi further stated that the Pakistan Army, together with the Islamabad Police, would provide security to the Sri Lankan team, who would be treated as government guests.
