ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that Pakistan Cricket Team will not visit India for the upcoming World Twenty20 amid security threats, and said that a three-member security team will visit the neighboring country on March 7 to assess the security environment.
Pakistan and India are scheduled to play their inaugural match of the ICC World T20 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on March 19; however, Indian extremists have threatened not to let the match be held.
In a press conference in Islamabad on Saturday evening, the interior minister said that disturbing reports about security threats to Pakistan team are emanating from India including threats from extremists and militant organizations to create law and order problem during visit of Pakistan cricket team.
On Friday, the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) threatened that it would dig up Dharamsala stadium’s pitch to protest the holding of the match between Pakistan and India.
Nisar said that pointed out that these threats are not hollow as Pakistani artists and head of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faced humiliation during visit to India. In this backdrop, he said, security of the players is the prime concern, and departure of the team can be delayed till necessary assurances for their safety are provided.
The interior minister said that a three-member security team headed by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director Usman Anwar and having one representative each of the PCB and Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has been constituted to visit India on Monday to assess security environment for Pakistan cricket team.
The minister said that based on initial report of the security team, a decision would be made about scheduled departure of the team for India on Wednesday.
Chaudhry Nisar also pointed out that it is not a bilateral visit but a world cup where Pakistan’s participation is necessary.
“Pakistan is an important cricket playing country and it is responsibility of the ICC to provide foolproof security to our team,” he added.
