FO calls upon India to secure Pakistani team amid terror threats
Cricket
Indian government has yet to gran visas to Pakistani media persons
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Pakistan on Thursday urged India to provide "proper" security to the Pakistani team during the ICC World Cup 2023.
The statement comes at a time when there are reports of terror threats to Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad,
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch was responding to queries of reporters about delay in visas and terror threats during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad.
The Indian government has yet to grant visas to Pakistani fans and media persons even though they had applied for it much ahead of the mega tournament.
Ms Baloch said India should provide protection to Pakistani cricket team in the ICC World Cup 2023, adding they [Pakistan] were in touch with Indian authorities and hoped that the visas would be issued soon.
Responding to delay in issuance of visas by India to Pakistanis for the World Cup, the FO spokesperson said Pakistan was in contact with Indian authorities and expected it to immediately grant visas to Pakistani journalists and spectators who wish to watch ICC matches in India.
To a question about a report published in international media regarding India's anti Pakistan propaganda, the spokesperson said there is irrefutable evidence of India's involvement in terrorist activities inside Pakistan but it continues to blame Pakistan for this on fictitious grounds.
Ms Baloch said Pakistan had a clear stance that sports should not be mingled with politics and the Pakistani team is in India, not for a bilateral series but an international tournament.
