Shahid Afridi comments on Prime Minister Imran Khan

LONDON: Shahid Afridi, a former cricket captain, has stated that Imran Khan, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, "over-promised" and "over-committed" before assuming office following the 2018 General Elections.

Afridi is now in London to gather donations for the Shahid Afridi Foundation, his philanthropic organisation. He also spoke to journalists at the Kashmir Premier League's (KPL) event at the Pakistan High Commission.

Afridi, one of cricket's most volatile characters, stated that Imran Khan should have entered the government first and then made a realistic appraisal of the situation.

"He should have entered administration with enough preparation and capable and honest staff. He still has time to do the task, "As Afridi stated.

Afridi asserted that politics is not comparable to cricket since its realities are harsh and distinct, and those who believe in the inclusion of everyone — without believing themselves to be all-knowing — finally achieve.

When asked about the Opposition's no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister, Afridi stated that the prime minister, as a sportsman, "must have endured a lot of stress during his cricketing days and must be taking stress today as well."

"Politics is a very different game. It is so unlike that Imran Khan was compelled to visit Bahadurabad (the MQM's Karachi office). It's a completely different game. Politics is not an adventure about 'me'. There is no such thing as 'me' in politics. This country is universally owned. Both the Opposition and the government contain both good and evil people. Not everyone is evil; you must accept everyone. Pakistan is a country for everyone" He stated.

The former cricket captain stated that if Imran Khan had taken everyone with him, today's Pakistan would be completely different.

He stated that no individual should have the authority to issue a National Reconciliation Order (NRO) to another. "Leave decision-making to the institutions. The NRO's authority should be vested in the institutions. The NRO is not in the PM's hands. Strengthen the institutions, allow them to flourish and function, and allow them to provide NRO."