Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to avoid a decision on visiting India without his permission.
“The PCB has been asked to consult the Prime Minister before taking any decision,” said a government official.
He said the instructions of the Prime Minister have been conveyed to PCB chairman Shaharyar M. Khan and the same have been passed on to the officials concerned.
Officials said Prime Minister Sharif was concerned about the activities of the extremist outfits in India and the Indian Cricket Board’s attitude that has been creating hurdles in resumption of sports ties between the two countries.
Media reports said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was keen to host five ODIs and two T20 international games with Pakistan in December.
Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan strongly condemned the recent negative activities of Shiv Sena towards Pakistan and its people, saying that the government would raise the issue of Shiv Sena’s terror activities at international forums to press for declaring Indian extremist group as a ‘terrorist’ outfit.
He said that keeping in view Indian’s constant attitude of humiliation towards Pakistan and people of Pakistan, he would oppose Pakistan cricket team visit to India.
He said due to recent mistreatment of Pakistanis, including renowned singer Ghulam Ali and former foreign minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, in India he would oppose Pakistan’s cricket team visit to India at every forum as honour is more important than money.
Mr Khan said Pakistan has always extended a hand of friendship to India but “our neighbour responded our gesture in a negative manner.”
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