Upon her arrival at Gaddafi Stadium for the Pakistan Super League match between Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators, Faryal faced a hurdle at the venue’s gates when security personnel stopped her.
Expressing her frustration on social media, Faryal highlighted that the security personnel treated her as if she were carrying a weapon. The reason for this scrutiny was the banner she openly carried with the slogan “Palestine Will Be Free.”
Narrating the incident to Dawn a day later, Faryal explained that the security guards prohibited her from bringing the banner inside, citing it as a political message that could be controversial and offensive to some. The guards insisted she leave the banner behind if she wanted to enter the stadium. Despite having no weapon, Faryal decided not to argue, considering the presence of her younger siblings who were accompanying her and were frightened by the guards’ behavior.
The actions of the guards aligned with the terms and conditions printed on PSL tickets, prohibiting posters, banners, or placards depicting religious, political, or racial discrimination. Faryal’s message, supporting Palestine, aligned with Pakistan’s official stance on Israel’s occupation, advocating for a two-state solution and a just resolution based on international law and relevant UN resolutions.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to disallow spectators from carrying a message seen as a humanitarian appeal, especially concerning the loss of innocent lives in the Israeli aggression on Gaza, raises questions. Despite the government’s clear position on the issue, the PCB’s stance appears to differ, contrasting with instances in European football where pro-Palestine protests are more common. For example, Celtic’s Green Brigade expressed their support during a recent Scottish Premiership match, and similar voices have been heard in the world of cricket.
