Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has spoken out against India’s premature and unsubstantiated accusations against Pakistan in the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian tourists.
In a public statement, Afridi expressed disappointment over India’s decision to blame Pakistan without presenting any evidence. “It is unfortunate that India hastily held Pakistan responsible for the incident in Kashmir without proof,” he said.
Afridi emphasized that Pakistan itself has been a victim of terrorism and continues to suffer from a rising number of terror attacks. “Loss of innocent lives, whether in occupied Kashmir or in Pakistan, is deeply saddening,” he added.
Calling for diplomacy over confrontation, the veteran cricketer urged both countries to prioritize dialogue. “The only way forward for Pakistan and India is diplomatic engagement. Conflict achieves nothing,” he said. Afridi also reiterated his long-standing belief that sports, especially cricket, should remain above politics.
The tensions between the two South Asian rivals have surged following the Pahalgam attack, with India moving to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan responding by closing its airspace to Indian flights. The standoff has drawn international attention, with calls for restraint and renewed dialogue between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
