A video has circulated on social media of fans at a cricket match in Pakistan chanting "Palestine" after the removal of the two Palestinian flags. Social media users say the incident occurred during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match.
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The Pakistani English-language newspaper Dawn reported on 21 February that security personnel prohibited PSL fans from entering Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for having Palestinian banners and flags during a match between home side Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators.
Despite Islamabad taking a rhetorically strong position against Israel and in favour of Palestine, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not tolerated any pro-Palestine sentiment at PSL matches.
PCB even fined Pakistan batter Azam Khan for displaying the Palestinian flag on his bat during the National T20 Cup 2023-24 match between Karachi Whites and Lahore Blues at the National Stadium in Karachi on November 26.
Ultimately, the fine was waived after the PCB was under immense pressure.
At the same time, Islamabad United won the PSL title on Monday after defeating Multan Sultan in Karachi and celebrated by taking a victory lap around the ground with Palestine flags.
Club captain Shadab Khan said the gesture "was very important for us."
"It was very important for us" – Shadab Khan spoke about waving Palestine flags during the victory lap.#HBLPSL9 | #HBLPSLFinal | #MSvIU pic.twitter.com/uqwK3o3GPo
— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) March 18, 2024
Islamabad United players waving the palestinian flag ❤️ pic.twitter.com/g7eL4awogn
— Wanderer 804 (@Ahmeds4ys) March 18, 2024
Breaking| Islamabad united waving Palestine flags after winning HBL PSL 9 final, Pakistan stand with Palestine Pakistan 🇵🇰🇵🇸 #PSL2024 pic.twitter.com/CMyjmhTvFI
— Javeria Sultan (@javeria_sultan1) March 18, 2024
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s National Assembly passed a resolution “categorically condemning” the Israeli war in Palestine.
“The resolution moved by Shazia Marri denounced the continued Israeli aggression which has led to the loss of over thirty thousand lives of Palestinians since October last year,” state-run Radio Pakistan said on 15 March.
“The resolution called upon the federal government to play a more proactive role in pushing the international community to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza.”
Pakistan does not have diplomatic ties with Israel and has continuously dispatched aid to Palestine since October last year.