Lahore: In a heart-warming gesture, Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar is offering free food at his restaurant here for all those rendered jobless by the COVID-19 pandemic. Pakistan is under a lockdown right now fighting the coronavirus outbreak after recording more than 1,000 positive cases.
“During this lockdown, people have become jobless. I own a restaurant named ‘Dar’s Delighto’ on Pia Road here. People who are jobless can come there and eat food for free,” Dar, an ICC elite panel umpire, said in video message posted on Twitter.
The 51-year-old Dar has officiated in close to 400 international games. As per a cricket specific website Dar earns USD 5,000, 3,000 and 1,500 for Tests, ODIs and T20 internationals.
“Coronavirus has spread all over the world, and its effects are now being seen in Pakistan as well,” Dar said Friday. “The provincial governments and the central government have issued measures for you to follow for your safety,” the veteran umpire added.
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is also carrying out extensive relief work through his charity foundation.
PNN & Agencies