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New Delhi: Pakistan, on Thursday, pulled out of the World Para Athletics Championships in India, starting in New Delhi from Saturday, September 27. Pakistan's decision to withdraw comes in the backdrop of the geo-political tensions between the two countries after the Pahalgam terror attack in April and Operation Sindoor in May.
The National Paralympic Committee of Pakistan announced its decision to boycott the Championships just before the start of the multi-nation event in India's capital. The NPCP cited a government order to boycott the event in the wake of rising tensions between the two neighbours in recent months.
Imran Jamil Shami, the committee’s secretary-general, communicated the latest developement with The Times of India from Islamabad. He said that the Committee had registered its top Paralympian, Haider Ali, in the men's F37 throwing category for the event, but after the government's diktat, the Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist and 2019 Dubai World Championships silver medallist won't be able to showcase his talent on the world stage.
“Yes, the NPCP has boycotted the India event. We decided not to send our contingent for the World Para Athletics because Pakistan feared for the safety of its athletes, coaching staff and team managers," Shami told The Times of India.
Haider qualified for the mega-event courtesy of his international ranking in the F37 category.
Shami cited the example of escalating tensions between the India and Pakistan cricket teams in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE.
"Our government advised us against sending the team because of the political standoff between the two nations. You very well know the situation. One can see what is happening between the two cricket teams at the Asia Cup in Dubai," Shami added.
Haider won Pakistan's first-ever Paralympic medal at the Tokyo Games by claiming the top podium spot. He went on to win a bronze in discus throw at the Paris Paralympics.
Shami said that the NPCP didn't apply for Haider's visa and communicated about the developement with the Para-athlete directly.
"We did not apply for his visa. We informed him that he isn’t going. No, we didn’t write to the world body. It was our decision. We felt the environment was not conducive to sending the team," Shami added.
The 12th edition of the mega-event will be held at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from 27 September to 5 October. Over 2,200 athletes from 100 countries are participating in the Championships. India have fielded their largest-ever contingent of 74 athletes.
