The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed its disappointment once more onMonday regarding the ongoing delay in the issuance of Indian visas forPakistani fans and journalists, despite nearly a week having passed sincethe start of the 2023 World Cup.
The prestigious cricket tournament commenced on October 5, but Indianauthorities have not yet issued visas to Pakistanis who wish to attend theWorld Cup, leaving them in a state of uncertainty.
In an official statement, the PCB disclosed that Zaka Ashraf, Chairman ofthe PCB Management Committee, engaged with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary,Syrus Sajjad Qazi, to express deep concern and alarm regarding the delay ingranting visas to fans and journalists from Pakistan who intend to coverthe World Cup in India.
The PCB further noted that Ashraf requested the Foreign Secretary toaddress this issue by liaising with India’s Home Ministry through thePakistan High Commission Office in New Delhi.
According to ICC regulations, the host country is obligated to issue visasto fans and journalists covering the event. However, India has notresponded to Pakistan’s appeals. The statement conveyed the board’s extremedisappointment that Pakistani journalists and fans are still uncertainabout obtaining Indian visas to cover Pakistan’s matches in the ICC WorldCup 2023.
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Simultaneously, the PCB once again reminded both the ICC and BCCI of theirrespective responsibilities and the terms and conditions outlined in thehost agreement, ensuring visas for fans and journalists from participatingteams.
The PCB also highlighted its serious concern about the security threatsreported in the Indian media and urged the government to assess thesecurity of the Pakistani squad in India. Ashraf, in his discussion withthe Foreign Secretary, underscored the paramount importance of thewell-being and safety of the Pakistan squad.
In a recent interview, the caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar,stressed the importance of keeping politics separate from sports. Heemphasized that if the World Cup had been held in Pakistan, they would haveissued visas to Indians, emphasizing that sports should remain free frompolitical influences.