"What's point in playing with our enemy?" Congress' Rashid Alvi on India-Pakistan cricket match

New Delhi [India], February 23 (ANI): Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy India-Pakistan cricket face-off in Dubai, Congress leader Rashid Alvi on Sunday condemned the move and sought to know why the BJP-ruled government had given permission to play a match with "our enemy".
"Why did the Indian government give permission for the match? You are playing with those who spread terrorism...Is this right?..." Alvi said.
Alvi questioned the policy of the central government, arguing that, on the one hand, the government has refused to talk with Pakistan over the issue of terrorism and on the other hand, they allow cricket matches to be held between both countries.
Speaking with ANI, Alvi said,"Every BJP leader makes a lot of statements against Pakistan. They say if Congress wins, a celebration will be held there (Pakistan). Now, the Indian team is playing cricket with the Pakistan team, What kind of policy is this? If Pakistan is our enemy, then what's the point of playing with them."
"Indian government has repeatedly said that we will not talk until the terrorism is over. Has it ended? Haven't our soldiers being killed in Kashmir? What will the mother and sisters of that martyred soldier think? I condemn this and this policy of government is beyond understanding," Alvi said.
Further, the Congress leader said that the government is disrespecting the families of soldiers who lost their lives fighting terrorism by giving permission for the cricket match.
"The question is why our government has given permission for this match. You are playing with those people who spread terrorism. Will the family member of our martyred soldier tolerate this? They are disrespecting them," Alvi said.
India is set to challenge Pakistan in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Stadium today.
The game is a high-stakes battle for both teams, as while Pakistan will try to keep their title defence alive, India will aim to almost confirm its berth in the semis.
The game is also being touted as an opportunity for India to avenge the loss of the 2017 Champions Trophy Final when Virat Kohli's men were deprived of putting their hands on the ICC trophy.
Unlike the 50-over and T20 World Cups, Pakistan holds a 3-2 advantage over India in the Champions Trophy. The most notable encounter remains the 180-run triumph in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, which makes Sunday's game even more exciting for fans from both sides of the border. (ANI)