Pakistani sports presenter Zainab Abbas has now spoken out after she departed from India, prompted by a complaint lodged by an Indian lawyer regarding her "anti-Hindu" statements from the past.
Zainab Abbas had been in India as a presenter for the ongoing ICC Men's World Cup 2023 but left the country on October 9, with the international cricket body citing "personal reasons" as the basis for her decision.
Meanwhile, she has now apologised for the hurt caused by her posts. In a lengthy statement on X (formerly Twitter), the presenter said.
"I have always felt extremely fortunate and grateful for the opportunities to travel and present the sport I love - this one would have been extra special."
Reflecting on her time in India, Zainab Abbas noted that her daily interactions with everyone were marked by kindness, cheerfulness, and a comforting sense of familiarity, just as she had anticipated.
"I was neither asked to leave nor was I deported," the sports presenter clarified.
Although she had not been asked to leave, Abbas said she felt "intimidated and scared" by the reaction that was unfolding online.
"And even though there was no immediate threat to my safety, my family, and friends from both sides of the border were concerned. I needed some space and time to reflect on what had transpired."
"I understand and deeply regret the hurt caused by the posts that were circulated. I wish to make clear that they do not represent my values or who I am as a person today," the journalist said.
"There is no excuse or space for such language, and I sincerely apologise to anyone who was offended."
"Also, I am truly grateful to those who were concerned and reached out during this challenging time," she said.
Zainab had reported on Pakistan's opening match against the Netherlands on October 6 in Hyderabad, India, and had to cover Pakistan's other fixtures too.
But after a lawyer in India's capital, New Delhi lodged a police complaint against her last week over her old tweets, she faced a huge backlash on social media, cutting her trip short.
In response to the fiasco, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch Thursday slammed New Delhi for the “unnecessary” controversy Abbas was dragged through, saying that the registration of the case was not the “right step”.
“The case against Zainab Abbas on unnecessary tweets is not the right action. Zainab is being dragged into an unjustified case,” said the spokesperson in response to a question during her weekly press briefing.
Baloch said that as host of the World Cup, it is the “Indian state’s responsibility” to provide security. She added that it is also India’s responsibility to provide a favourable environment for the Pakistani cricket team.