Pakistani Kohli fan facing jail for waving India flag

Image
AFP Karachi
Last Updated : Jan 27 2016 | 10:22 PM IST
A Pakistani cricket fan is facing up to a decade in jail after he was charged today for jubilantly waving the flag of longtime foe India when his idol Virat Kohli made a match-winning knock.
Police said Umar Daraz, 22, went "against the ideology of Pakistan" when he waved the flag at his house in Okara town in Punjab province Tuesday during the match against Australia in Adelaide.
Daraz was celebrating Kohli's amazing knock of 90 not out, which set up India's 37-run win in the first of three Twenty20 internationals against Australia.
His conviviality and subsequent arrest came Tuesday, as Pakistan's arch-rival India marked its national Republic Day.
Nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and India have a long history of animosity dating back to independence from Britain in 1947, and have fought three wars.
Regional Police officer Faisal Rana said Daraz was charged under Pakistan's penal code with acting against Pakistan's sovereignty. He could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine.
"Daraz initially told us that he is a true Pakistani but likes Kohli and never knew that was a crime," Rana told media.
"His act is against our country's sovereignty and is against the ideology of Pakistan."
Rana said Daraz's home was also full of Kohli pictures.
"He is a diehard fan of Kohli and there were big posters pasted on the walls of his house," the officer said.
India stalled cricket matches against Pakistan in the wake of a 2008 militant attack in the commercial hub Mumbai that left 166 people dead and was blamed on extremists based across the border.
Last month, India refused to play a planned series with Pakistan after agreeing to stage the matches in the neutral venues of Sri Lanka.
The foes last played a full bilateral series in 2007.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 27 2016 | 10:22 PM IST

Next Story