Pakistan has strongly condemned Indian attempts to politicize 44th Chess Olympiad scheduled to begin in Chennai from today.

In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan was invited by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to participate in the Chess Olympiad. A Pakistani contingent was already training for this event.

The spokesperson, however, regretted that India chose to politicize this prestigious international sporting event by passing the torch relay of this event through the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on 21st July.

The spokesperson said this is in utter disregard of the globally acknowledged disputed status of the territory. He said India has committed a travesty that the international community cannot accept under any circumstances. India must know that by such provocative and indefensible actions, it can neither seek nor claim international legitimacy for its unjustifiable, illegal and tyrannical occupation of IIOJK continuing for over 7 decades.

He said Pakistan condemns India’s mischievous attempt to mix politics with sports. As a protest, he said Pakistan has decided not to participate in the 44th Chess Olympiad and will also raise the matter with the International Chess Federation at the highest level.