ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif has expressed support for Qatar amid criticism faced by the Middle Eastern country as it hosts the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Sharif said in a tweet that it was unfortunate how Qatar was being subjected to a barrage of propaganda as the host of the world cup.
He added that the country should rather be commended for the wonderful arrangements it had done for the mega event and for being a promoter of global peace and development.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan stood by in solidarity with the Emir and the people of Qatar.
The Criticism
The tournament began in Qatar on Sunday with the Muslim nation facing largescale criticism mainly from European countries over its “mistreatment” of foreign workers, LGBT rights, and social restrictions.
The United Kingdom’s public service broadcaster BBC did not air the world cup’s opening ceremony on its main coverage program, instead relegating it to its second-tier streams only.
Earlier FIFA President Gianni Infantino came in support of the current FIFA world cup host, who in a press conference denounced the criticism of Qatar. He accused Western countries of “hypocrisy” and said that the West was not in a position to teach “moral lessons” to other countries.
