Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses the federal cabinet on February 4, 2026. Screen recording
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, defending the decision to boycott the match against India in the T20 World Cup, said on Wednesday that it was taken in solidarity with Bangladesh.
Pakistan was on the verge of withdrawing from the tournament after Bangladesh withdrew for refusing to play in India, citing security concerns.
The government eventually cleared the team’s participation but banned them from facing India in Colombo in a blockbuster clash on February 15.
“We have taken a clear stand regarding the T20 World Cup that we will not play the match against India,” he said while addressing the cabinet.
“There should be no politics in sport,” he said. “We have adopted this position after carefully deliberating on it,” he said, calling it an “appropriate decision.”
“We have taken a very thoughtful stance and we must fully support Bangladesh and I think it is a very appropriate decision.”
Despite opting out of the match against India, Pakistan’s participation in the remainder of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 indicates a calibrated approach rather than an outright boycott, following days of speculation related to the Bangladesh issue and regional tensions.
Balochistan attacks
Referring to developments since Saturday’s attacks at multiple locations in Balochistan, the prime minister said 180 terrorists “were sent to hell”, while 17 security personnel were martyred and 31 civilians lost their lives.
“You saw the distressing event that happened in Gwadar: five women and children were martyred. They have a heart of stone, they are not human at all.”
He said the nation will always remember the sacrifices of the martyrs, adding that it was the responsibility of the State to take care of their heirs.
He said it must be kept in mind that since Pakistan had achieved victory in its May 2025 conflict against India, “our eastern neighbor – our enemy – and other Khwarij want to become a thorn in Pakistan’s happiness and prosperity, but God willing, this will not happen and this terrorism will be completely eliminated.”
The prime minister said one must remember how workers who had gone to Balochistan to earn a living and small children and women were killed, calling it a painful moment that had put the entire nation in mourning.
“But in the same way, the nation stands like an iron wall with its law enforcement and its army. The day will come when these sacrifices will bear fruit and terrorism will be eliminated forever from the country.”
Tensions between Iran and the United States
Referring to the recent situation with Iran as the country’s tensions with the United States rise, the prime minister said Pakistan had fully played its role in the matter. He said that he, the deputy prime minister and the field marshal had contacted and consulted with the Iranian leadership at different points.
“We have played every role that could have been played as a brother. In this, the role of Qatar, Egypt, Oman, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and all Islamic countries were also involved and the whole effort is that through talks a way emerges that puts an end to the threats hanging over the region and establishes peace.”
The Prime Minister conveyed the message of solidarity of the government of Pakistan and the entire nation with the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the just cause of the people of Kashmir.
He said he would himself go to Azad Jammu and Kashmir to deliver a “message of solidarity of the entire nation”.
Meeting with KP CM
Prime Minister Shehbaz also spoke about his meeting with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday, adding that they had a “very good” discussion.
Reiterating his earlier offer of support to the prime minister, Prime Minister Shehbaz said he told CM Afridi: “You are the chief minister of a very beautiful and important province where the people are very great Pakistanis and they are brave and courageous who have made many sacrifices. In that regard, we kept one per cent in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award 2010 before the divisible fund so that you could take care of terrorism-related issues.”
He said the prime minister was told that Rs800 billion had been given to KP over the years under the NFC. Prime Minister Shehbaz added that CM Afridi assured him of the completion of the Safe City project.
The PM mentioned some delayed payments to the province, adding that he immediately tasked Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Finance Minister and Secretary to hold a meeting and remove any payment gap there was.
“All in all, it was a good meeting with him and we should be hopeful that the matter will move forward.”
