Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has expressed disappointment over the condition of Karachi, saying it is embarrassing to see the state of a city that generates billions of rupees in business and provides employment to millions.
Speaking on former Test cricketer Fawad Alam’s podcast, Afridi described his decision to leave Karachi and move to Islamabad as a difficult one.
Afridi said Karachi was home to many good people and that he had spent some of the best years of his life there. However, he praised Islamabad for its infrastructure and climate.
“I don’t miss Karachi, but I miss the people of Karachi a lot,” Afridi said.
‘Calling Karachi Paris makes me laugh’
Expressing concern over Karachi’s deteriorating infrastructure, Afridi said it was disappointing to see the condition of a city that plays a major role in Pakistan’s economy.
“It is very embarrassing to see the condition of Karachi,” he said.
Afridi added that he found it amusing when people compared Karachi to Paris or used similar descriptions for the city.
“When someone calls Karachi ‘Paris’ or something else, it makes me laugh,” he said.
He also acknowledged that some development projects had improved infrastructure, saying the Bhutto Highway was well built. However, he stressed that much more work was needed.
“You cannot satisfy yourself and the people with one project,” Afridi said.
Afridi rules out entering politics
Asked whether he intended to enter politics, Afridi said he had previously considered the idea but changed his mind in 2019.
“I had the intention earlier, but I changed my mind in 2019. Politics is not my job,” he said.
