Pakistan cricket team has not only brought moments of joy to the nation but also helped in uniting its people by winning the Twenty20 World Cup in England, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani said.
Speaking at a reception for the members of the World Cup winning team in Islamabad last night, Gillani said Pakistan will look to win over terrorism just the way cricketers have overcome their rivals in the field.
"The cricketers have done us proud by winning the World Cup and more importantly they have helped unite the nation in these testing times," said Gillani, who also announced a cash award of Rs 10 million for the team.
"The World Cup has brought some comfort and joy to the people. Like the cricket team we will also eventually defeat the terrorists as one nation," Gillani added.
"The nation is proud of your achievement and we hope you will continue to bring us more happiness and victories to celebrate," Gillani said.
Skipper Younis Khan said they had never imagined that winning the World Cup would have had such an impact on their countrymen.
"The reception and adulation we have received since Sunday is heart warming. We feel as proud as the nation on winning this World Cup," Younis said.
The Pakistan skipper assured the participants that the players would continue to work hard to carry on their good performances and bring joy to the people.
"We are just happy that we could bring some happiness to the people who have faced lot of difficulties in recent times," he said.
A day following Gillani's announcement, The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a cash award of Rs 2.5 million for each member of squad that clinched the Twenty20 World Cup title in England.
Butt made the announcement during a special visit by the players to the Parliament today on the invitation of National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza.
The players were invited to a special luncheon session also attended by the parliamentarians of ruling and opposition parties. The politicians showered praise on the players for winning the World Cup and serving as a unifying factor for the nation which is fighting against militancy and terrorism.
Pakistan President and PCB's chief patron Asif Ali Zardari has already announced cash awards of Rs one million each for captain Younis Khan and all-rounder Shahid Afridi and half-a-million each for rest of the players.
President Asif Zardari has invited the players to a reception at the President house today in which he will give them the cash awards.
The Pakistan cricketers have announced that they would contribute part of their earnings from the World Cup for the displaced people in Swat valley and victims of terrorism in the country.
No comments:
Post a Comment