World Cup semi-final: 1500 extra visas for Pakistan fans
A fresh hope for Pakistan fans who want to make it for the Mohali semi-final between India and Pakistan as 1500 extra visas have been announced.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: March 25, 2011 06:42 PM IST
A fresh hope for Pakistan fans who want to make it for the Mohali semi-final between India and Pakistan as 1500 extra visas have been announced by the Indian government.
Since Pakistan has qualified for the World cup semis which will be played in Mohali, the Indian goverment has decided to issue extra visas for Pakistani fans.
Earlier a total of 5000 visas were supposed to be given but now 1500 extra visas have been announced for the fans from across the border, that of course makes it a total of 6,500 Indian visas for Pakistani supporters.
However, Shahid Malik, Pakistan's High Commissioner to India, on Friday urged the Indian government to issue maximum number of visas to Pakistanis eager to see the match on March 30.
"The Indian side should be prepared to issue maximum visas," Shahid Malik told a news channel, adding that he was not worried over the issue of providing security to the Pakistani team in Mohali.
An India-Pakistan match was good for bilateral ties, Malik said. He said the two countries needed to move ahead in other areas too.
The diplomat spoke glowingly of the Pakistani team, saying it had shown it was a winning squad.
"In fielding, batting, bowling, in every field (they are outstanding)," he said. "It (the semi-final) is a challenge. Let us see what happens on March 30."
(with IANS inputs)
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