Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria has stirred controversy by directly accusing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of “sheltering and nurturing terrorists,” implying a Pakistani link to the recent deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.
In a strongly-worded post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the 44-year-old UK-based former spinner questioned the prime minister’s silence, suggesting it hints at Pakistan’s involvement in the attack.
“If Pakistan truly has no role in the Pahalgam terror attack, why hasn’t Prime Minister @CMShehbaz condemned it yet? Why are your forces suddenly on high alert? Because deep down, you know the truth – you’re sheltering and nurturing terrorists. Shame on you,” wrote Kaneria, who was previously banned from professional cricket over spot-fixing allegations during his time in English county cricket.
The attack in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in the Kashmir Valley, occurred on Tuesday and marked the deadliest incident in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing. Most of the victims were civilians, including tourists.
While Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has not issued a personal statement on the attack, Pakistan’s Foreign Office has expressed concern over the tragic loss of life and called for restraint and a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Kaneria, one of the few Hindu cricketers to have represented Pakistan, has often been vocal in his criticism of the Pakistani state and its policies since moving to the United Kingdom. His latest comments are expected to draw sharp responses from both political and sporting circles, especially given the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the incident and India’s subsequent decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty.
