Pakistan rejects US report on human rights practices
This year's report is once again conspicuous by its lack of objectivity and politicization of the international human rights agenda, it added.
When a Pakistani militant group was attacking the Sri Lankan cricket team bus near the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in 2009, there was a civilian who was pushing his limits to whisk the guests to safety.
Driver Meher Muhammad Khalil emerged as a hero after he drove the Sri Lankan cricket team bus on a busy street holding his nerve under gunfire.
Eight people were killed and as many were wounded in the ambush.
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After eight years, as the Sri Lankan team is set to visit Pakistan for a T20I on October 29, Khalil recalled the morning of March 3, 2009 when he drove the team to Gaddafi Stadium.
“First I thought it was fireworks for our guest team. Then a man came in front of me (and) fired straight at me with a Kalashnikov… I realised, it’s not fireworks,” Khalil said as quoted by AFP.
The driver said the militants shot the two drivers of the lead vehicles, following which he drove the bus risking his own life. “They fired intensely on the vehicle, and also lobbed a hand grenade and fired a rocket,” he said, but both missed.
Calling Sri Lanka a ‘brave nation’, Khalil’s eyes reflected great spark, hoping for a better future of the game in the terror-hit nation. “See what a brave nation they are that this incident happened to them and still that team is coming to play in our country.”
Khalil, however, urged the authorities to arrange “foolproof security” for all foreign players visiting Pakistan. “The whole of Pakistan should give them protocol (respect) and welcome them very warmly,” he added.
Earlier in 2015, Pakistan hosted minnows Zimbabwe, which was followed by three-match series against Faf du Plessis-led World XI side last month.
(With inputs from agencies)
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