Imran Khan calls foreign PSL players 'phateechar', defies culture of hospitality

ISLAMABAD: Hospitality is rooted in Pakistani culture. In many communities even when an enemy arrives as a guest he is respected and treated generously. But something that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan said in a press conference Monday night is being criticised by Pakistanis all around the world.

Video of Imran Khan’s press conference which has gone viral over social media shows him criticising the foreign players who had arrived in Lahore to play the Pakistan Super League Final in the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

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The PTI chief called the foreign players “phateechar” roughly translated as “useless” adding that he does not even know their names.

In a comment which has been criticised for being racist, he says, “They just picked them from Africa.”

Cricketing giants like Sir Vivian Richards graced the PSL final. He even had good things to say about Imran Khan. In an interview to Geo News Richards said that he fondly remembers the time when he played with Imran Khan and Javed Miandad.

The PSL Final on Sunday held under tight security drew Pakistan together in a rare show of unity. Even leaders from parties opposing the government like Jamat-e-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq and Awami Muslim League chief Sheik Rasheed attended the final.

However, Imran Khan after initially calling the decision to hold the PSL final in Lahore “stupid” boycotted it. His supporters chanted “Go Nawaz Go” slogans while the PSL Chairman Najam Sethi addressed the final ceremony, an act which was criticised by cricket lovers and PTI supporters alike.

Iam big supporter of PTI but this is not acceptableSammy has not only won the cup but also won our hearts #Phateechar #imrankhan shame on u

— @A@ (@ze96593) March 7, 2017

They came here amid security risks to strengthn our cricket situtation and our so called leader calls them #phateechar

— Soban Javed (@sobanjaved) March 6, 2017

What exactly is so bad about being from Africa? #phateechar

— Fatima Wahab (@FatiWahab) March 6, 2017

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah asked the PTI chief to apologise over his derogatory remarks.

Responding to allegations against the PTI chairman, the party spokesman Naeem-ul-Haque said that the Imran Khan does not need to apologise for his statements.