On August 8, 2013, Australian Federal Police (AFP) Senior Liaison Officer Danny Caruana was posted in Islamabad when he learned about the horrific suicide attack at the funeral of a police officer in Quetta that took lives of 38 police officers in attendance - including his Pakistani friend Fayyaz Sumbal.
“Police in Pakistan face terror attacks and obstacles at every turn, they also work in some of the world’s most dangerous conditions for a meager salary," Caruana tells SBS Urdu.
Sumbal was on duty as deputy inspector general Balochistan. The attack was seen as an affront to the peace-loving citizens of Pakistan and the world.
AFP agent Danny Caruana had a close working relationship and friendship with Fayyaz and his family.
Pictured: Slain police officer Fayyaz Sumbal Source: Supplied
The late Fayyaz too had ongoing links with Australia and enjoyed a strong relationship with the Australian Federal Police.
Fayyaz had visited Australia to attend a bomb data conference held in Sydney a year earlier in 2012 and not only gained respect and friendship of the Aussie officers, but also impressed the participants by his professional approach. Caruana says that Fayyaz represented himself, the Balochistan Police and Pakistan with the utmost professionalism and warmth.
Danny says that without spending time of his own on-ground in Pakistan, "I would never have been able to know how brave these guys really were, especially when it came to fighting terror."
Australian federal police agent Danny Caruana, along with his three Australian-based brothers, set up the Fayyaz Sumbul Foundation Source: Danny Caruana
“AT LEAST one police officer is killed on average every day in Pakistan."
Danny tells SBS that it moved him to do something more.
"I want to do something to pay tribute to my mate and want to acknowledge his contribution," Caruana tells SBS Urdu.
"That feeling is what led to the establishment of Fayyaz Sumbal Foundation."
Danny Caruana, along with his three Australian-based brothers, set up the Fayyaz Sumbal Foundation with hopes to honour Sumbal's legacy and support the annual Fayyaz Sumbal Cup and other fundraising initiatives.
Listen to Danny Caruana's full interview (in English) with SBS Urdu below:
Set up in 2014, the foundation aims to honour Fayyaz's work by continuing to work for peace and security, as well as fostering goodwill and cooperation between Australia and Pakistan.
The Childern of Slain Police officer Fayyaz Sumbal Source: FSF
The foundation's chief fundraising venture is the Fayyaz Sumbal Cup, a star-studded cricket match first held in 2013.
The Cup has been played three times in Pakistan, and reciprocal games have recently been hosted in Melbourne and Perth. Funds raised by the foundation will be spent on aiding the families of servicemen killed in the line of duty.
“The foundation is particularly grateful for the ongoing support of serving members of the Australian Federal Police and Pakistani community in Australia and Pakistani," Caruana tells SBS Urdu.
Pakistani cricket stars such as Shoib Akhtar ans Misbah ul haq has participated in the matches. The Pakistani Capital Police cricket team coach and player Raja Tahir has also played in Fayyaz Sumbal cup in both Pakistan and Australia.
The Cup has been played three times in Pakistan, and reciprocal games have been hosted in Melbourne, Hobart and Perth.
FSF was also part of be part of PollieBash 2016, a friendly cricket match between Tasmania's political representatives and the media gallery and raised $50,000.
The Australian-Pakistani charity work's to help the families of servicemen wounded and killed in the line of duty.
So what made him turn to the sport of cricket to raise both funds and awareness?
Cricketers bow their heads as a mark of respect at the 2015 Fayyaz Sumbal cup Source: Fayyaz Sumbal foundation - via Facebook
"I thought the thing about cricket, is that it is one of the most popular games in both Pakistan and Australia."
The foundation has raised money for the families of servicemen of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa and Azad Kashmir.
“It also hopes to promote a harmonious and peaceful relationship between Pakistan and Australia through the love of the sport of cricket," says Caruana.
Recently the foundation inaugurated the Police Community Cup, a Twenty20 cricket game between the NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police It was played in Canberra between AFP and NSW Police on Sunday 5th. February 2017. Danny Caruana tells SBS Urdu that this year the Aussies - the AFP were the winner of the cup.
AFP and Pakistani Police Teams at Lahore Gymkhena Source: FSF
