3:16 AM
Humari news
LONDON: Retired run-away wicketkeeper, Zulqarnain Haider Syed, has voluntarily withdrawn his application for asylum in Britain, after the Pakistan government assured him and his family of “the highest level of security” in Pakistan, the News has learnt. Sources say the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also given serious indications of Zulqarnain’s possible rehabilitation into Pakistani cricket.
Zulqarnain’s dramatic decision to withdraw his asylum application and make a possible return to Pakistan came two days after safety assurances were given him in person by Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK, Wajid Shamsul Hasan and Interior Minister, Rehman Malik. Syed also had a cordial conversation with PCB Chairman, Ijaz Butt who, according to sources, assured Zulqarnain that the Board would lift the life ban imposed on him if he returned to Pakistan.
The News has obtained a copy of the letter written by the former Pakistan wicketkeeper to British Home Secretary, Theresa May. “In light of the assurances that I have received, I feel that I no longer need sanctuary in the UK and have accordingly decided to withdraw my claim for asylum,” reads the letter. “I am aware that my asylum claim remains outstanding and has not been determined as yet.”
The letter goes on to say Wajid Shamsul Hasan had assured Zulqarnain from the outset that he would try his best to ensure that his family was provided appropriate security and safety in Pakistan. “I am thankful to Mr Hasan for honouring his promise,” Zulqarnain says. “I believe that Mr. Hasan has played a crucial role in convincing higher authorities that it is important to look after my family who are being threatened by the same elements that threatened me in Dubai.”
The letter also details Zulqarnain’s reasons both for seeking asylum and for now withdrawing his request for sanctuary. Zulqarnain fled to Britain and applied for asylum in the first week of November last year after, as he claims, receiving death threats from the underground betting mafia for refusing to fix two games. He also announced retirement from international cricket. This was followed by a vitriolic exchange between the PCB and Zulqarnain and a life ban was imposed on him for standing up the Pakistani side. The Board also suspended his central contract.
However, Zulqarnain states that he holds no negative feelings toward the PCB. “Anything that I have ever said has been aimed at bringing improvements and reforms to the Board, not only to ensure greater professionalism and a commitment to transparency but in order that the Board fulfill the rightful expectations of the nation,” reads the letter.
Zulqarnain told The News he had given Rehman Malik details of alleged corruption in Pakistani cricket, information about people he suspected were involved with bookies and the circumstances surrounding his sudden departure from Dubai in November last year. The International Cricket Council (ICC) told The News on Friday that it would not comment about whether to approach Rehman Malik to question him on his correspondences with Zulqarnain. But as part of wider investigations following the player’s claims, Malik could be questioned by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit as well as Metropolitan Police.
Haider also emphasises that he did not take the decision to seek refuge lightly and that he was “compelled to take the steps that I did, given the real and genuine threats to my life and to the lives of my beloved ones,” he writes. “I had to effectively forsake my international career which had just started to blossom but my life and the safety of my beloved ones was far more important.”
Zulqarnain says in his letter to the Home Secretary that he went through “a horrendous experience” and was thankful his family, friends, well-wishers and cricket fans around the world “who have shown faith in me and stood by me during this most difficult and emotionally challenging time.”
The letter details a long list of people Zulqarnain expresses gratitude towards, beginning with the British government for providing him temporary refuge, support and for understanding his circumstances. This despite the fact that British authorities, with full help from the Interior Ministry of Pakistan, had cancelled the visit visa of Zulqarnain’s wife and daughters who tried to come to London to join him.
“I am particularly thankful to the Scotland Yard for providing me excellent security and for remaining in regular contact with me to ensure my well-being,” he says. Zulqarnain also thanked the Pakistani, English, and international media for their tremendous support throughout his ordeal and for invoking cricketing authorities to investigate the allegations of corruption against him.
Earlier, Zulqarnain was offered a contract by the Kent side Lashings after he arrived in the UK. However, he was not eligible for paid work while his asylum case was under consideration. Mohammed Amjad, an immigration expert from the Legal Rights Partnership told The News that if Zulqarnain returned to Pakistan and withdrew his asylum application this would not have adverse implications for later applications to return to the UK to take up a county contract.
“This is, of course, provided that he did not overstay before putting in an application for asylum,” said Amjad. “Also, he would need to secure a sports work permit before making an application to return to the UK.”
Zulqarnain’s dramatic decision to withdraw his asylum application and make a possible return to Pakistan came two days after safety assurances were given him in person by Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK, Wajid Shamsul Hasan and Interior Minister, Rehman Malik. Syed also had a cordial conversation with PCB Chairman, Ijaz Butt who, according to sources, assured Zulqarnain that the Board would lift the life ban imposed on him if he returned to Pakistan.
The News has obtained a copy of the letter written by the former Pakistan wicketkeeper to British Home Secretary, Theresa May. “In light of the assurances that I have received, I feel that I no longer need sanctuary in the UK and have accordingly decided to withdraw my claim for asylum,” reads the letter. “I am aware that my asylum claim remains outstanding and has not been determined as yet.”
The letter goes on to say Wajid Shamsul Hasan had assured Zulqarnain from the outset that he would try his best to ensure that his family was provided appropriate security and safety in Pakistan. “I am thankful to Mr Hasan for honouring his promise,” Zulqarnain says. “I believe that Mr. Hasan has played a crucial role in convincing higher authorities that it is important to look after my family who are being threatened by the same elements that threatened me in Dubai.”
The letter also details Zulqarnain’s reasons both for seeking asylum and for now withdrawing his request for sanctuary. Zulqarnain fled to Britain and applied for asylum in the first week of November last year after, as he claims, receiving death threats from the underground betting mafia for refusing to fix two games. He also announced retirement from international cricket. This was followed by a vitriolic exchange between the PCB and Zulqarnain and a life ban was imposed on him for standing up the Pakistani side. The Board also suspended his central contract.
However, Zulqarnain states that he holds no negative feelings toward the PCB. “Anything that I have ever said has been aimed at bringing improvements and reforms to the Board, not only to ensure greater professionalism and a commitment to transparency but in order that the Board fulfill the rightful expectations of the nation,” reads the letter.
Zulqarnain told The News he had given Rehman Malik details of alleged corruption in Pakistani cricket, information about people he suspected were involved with bookies and the circumstances surrounding his sudden departure from Dubai in November last year. The International Cricket Council (ICC) told The News on Friday that it would not comment about whether to approach Rehman Malik to question him on his correspondences with Zulqarnain. But as part of wider investigations following the player’s claims, Malik could be questioned by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit as well as Metropolitan Police.
Haider also emphasises that he did not take the decision to seek refuge lightly and that he was “compelled to take the steps that I did, given the real and genuine threats to my life and to the lives of my beloved ones,” he writes. “I had to effectively forsake my international career which had just started to blossom but my life and the safety of my beloved ones was far more important.”
Zulqarnain says in his letter to the Home Secretary that he went through “a horrendous experience” and was thankful his family, friends, well-wishers and cricket fans around the world “who have shown faith in me and stood by me during this most difficult and emotionally challenging time.”
The letter details a long list of people Zulqarnain expresses gratitude towards, beginning with the British government for providing him temporary refuge, support and for understanding his circumstances. This despite the fact that British authorities, with full help from the Interior Ministry of Pakistan, had cancelled the visit visa of Zulqarnain’s wife and daughters who tried to come to London to join him.
“I am particularly thankful to the Scotland Yard for providing me excellent security and for remaining in regular contact with me to ensure my well-being,” he says. Zulqarnain also thanked the Pakistani, English, and international media for their tremendous support throughout his ordeal and for invoking cricketing authorities to investigate the allegations of corruption against him.
Earlier, Zulqarnain was offered a contract by the Kent side Lashings after he arrived in the UK. However, he was not eligible for paid work while his asylum case was under consideration. Mohammed Amjad, an immigration expert from the Legal Rights Partnership told The News that if Zulqarnain returned to Pakistan and withdrew his asylum application this would not have adverse implications for later applications to return to the UK to take up a county contract.
“This is, of course, provided that he did not overstay before putting in an application for asylum,” said Amjad. “Also, he would need to secure a sports work permit before making an application to return to the UK.”
