ICC World Cup 2019: Plane Carrying Anti-Pak Banners Fly Over Leeds, ICC Issues Clarification

A plane flying with anti-Pakistan banners unfurled on Saturday over the Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds where the ICC World Cup 2019 match between Pakistan and Afghanistan was underway. However, soon after the incident, ICC has issued a clarification saying that they don’t endorse any political message.

ICC condone any political message

The plane outspread placards in the sky bearing slogans ‘Justice for Balochistan’ and ‘Help end enforced disappearances in Pakistan’, written in big, bold black and red letters as part of a campaign organised by Baloch activists to highlight the dire human rights violation in Pakistan. Human rights activists from the World Baloch Organisation and the Baloch Republican Party have continued with their campaign to highlight the worsening human rights situation in Pakistan.

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The voices of the oppressed cannot be suppressed forever, we will paint our message in the skies if we have to!. #Balochistan

Low flying Banner trailing plane during #PAKvAFG world cup clash calls to #EndEnforcedDisappearances in Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/Y17VmFdDCq

— WBO (@WorldBalochOrg) June 29, 2019

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Soon after the incident, a scuffle between broke out between Pakistan and Afghanistan fans outside the cricket stadium. ICC confirmed that it was about selling a used ticket to an Afghanistan supporter which initiated the fight.

“Baloch Republican Party and World Baloch organisation’s awareness campaign against enforced disappearances in Pakistan flying banners hovering over Headingley Stadium calling for #EndEnforcedDisappearances during #PAKvAFG cricket match,” the World Baloch Organisation tweeted.

Soon after the turn of events, ICC has released a statement saying that they don’t condone any political message. The statement also added that they will work with West Yorkshire police to deal with and understand why this happened and to ensure it does not happen again.

“We work with local police forces around the country to prevent this type of incident occurring and were assured that given Headingley is under the flight path for the Leeds Bradford Airport it would not be an issue. We do not condone any sort of political messages at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and will work with West Yorkshire police to deal with and understand why this happened and to ensure it does not happen again,” the statement read.

ICC message about an aeroplane flying over Headingley today displaying political messages #CWC19 #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/gafSyfaS6K

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 29, 2019

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