Lahore: Executive Director of PTV Sports Aalia Rasheed has highlighted the absence of long‑term planning in Pakistan’s sports infrastructure, recalling that even 16 years after the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, governments have failed to build hotels near stadiums.
Commenting on a statement by Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, Aalia said that the Pakistan Cricket Board has recently begun work on providing accommodation facilities for visiting teams in Lahore. However, she emphasized that such efforts should not remain limited to one city or institution.
According to Aalia, the lack of coordinated planning has left Pakistan struggling to meet international standards for hosting major sporting events. She argued that national‑level collective thinking and strategy are essential to ensure the safety, comfort, and confidence of foreign teams.
Her remarks underline the broader debate about Pakistan’s ability to rebuild its reputation as a safe and well‑equipped destination for international cricket. Analysts believe that without proper infrastructure and planning, the return of regular foreign tours will remain a challenge.