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In the wake of the 'national flag carrying' scuffle at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) opening ceremony in New Delhi, which ensued between a sports star and a top official from Pakistan, the country's High Commissioner in India, Shahid Malik, promptly responded to the controversy and resolved it amicably overnight, before a 'third party could exploit it to defame the nation'. "Yes, the matter has been resolved pleasantly and that the weightlifters are sure to perform well in the Commonwealth Games rather than pulling out of the event," The Nation quoted Malik, as saying. He revealed that he immediately spoke to the Pakistan Olympic Association President, Arif Hasan, and sorted out the matter, adding that no one from Pakistan had tried to contact him following the incident. "I don't want to go into details, however, the matter has been resolved and credit for this goes to Lt Gen Arif and the boys," said Malik. According to the paper, following the incident, the envoy immediately contacted Arif, chef de mission Muhammad Ali Shah, and the weightlifters, and made both the parties come across the table and wisely resolve the matter. "Look Sir! I was under the impression that a third party can exploit the matter to defame Pakistan, so, it was necessary to resolve the matter as soon as possible and we did it," Malik stated. It is noteworthy to note that the Pakistani weightlifters had threatened to pull out of the Delhi Games after a showdown with their contingent leader Shah, when he insisted on carrying the flag to lead the team parade instead of celebrated former gold medal weightlifter, Shujauddin Malik, during the opening ceremony.

'Pak CWG flag controversy' resolved before 'third party' could exploit to defame Pak'