As he spreads the message of peace with Indian doubles partner Rohan Bopanna, tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi says he also wants to correct the "very wrong perception" that Pakistan is a terrorist country.
Nicknamed the “Indo-Pak Express”, Qureshi and Bopanna, who finished runners-up in the US Open finals on Friday after losing to American top seeds Mike and Bob Bryan, have made quite an impression with their message of “Stop war and Start tennis”.
After the match and amid a resounding applause, Qureshi made a choked plea for a better understanding of his nation, which has been left ravaged by floods.
"I feel there's a very wrong perception of Pakistan as a terrorist country," Qureshi said.
"We are a friendly, caring and peace-loving country and we want peace as much as you all." Qureshi's speech came on the eve of the ninth anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks.
"Since September 11, every time I come to the States or Western countries, I feel people have the wrong impression of Pakistan as a terrorist nation," he said.
The player said Pakistan cares as much for peace as any other country, including the USA.
"We want peace in this world as much as Americans want and the rest of the world. We are all on the same side. There are extremists in every religion, but just because of them you can't judge the whole country as a terrorist nation," he explained.
Calling Bopanna his best friend on tour, Qureshi said he would not want to face the Indian in the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi but would be ready for the challenge nonetheless.
"I hope we don't get drawn against each other in the same pool, but we are professionals, we know that we will both try our best for our country and give it our all. That is part of tennis, but this will not cause any differences between us as a team or as friends," he said.