Visas for Pakistan cricket lovers on production of return tickets

[Phoenix89]

NEW DELHI: The Government may issue a multi-city visa to Pakistani cricket lovers planning to witness the forthcoming cricket series beginning December 25 if they provide tickets of the matches and return ticket besides having an Indian sponsor.

A committee formed within the Union Home Ministry has suggested that tickets to the venue and the return tickets would ensure regulating the visiting Pakistani cricket lovers, official sources said.

Union Home Ministry, while giving a go ahead for Indo-Pak cricket series, had conveyed to Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI) that it would have to strictly abide by the rules framed for allowing Pakistani spectators to enter into India.

The move comes in the wake of reports of security agencies that as many as 12 Pakistanis had not returned after the 2007 cricket series besides the interrogation of American born Lashker-e-Taiba terrorist David Headley who had told the US investigators that wanted terrorist Sajid Mir had visited Mohali and the national capital as a cricket fan during which he had surveyed important installations including National Defence College.

The Home Ministry has made it mandatory for each Pakistani cricket fan intending to witness the forthcoming cricket series beginning December 25 to have a local sponsor to get visa.

The Home Ministry will also seek advance list of special guests of Pakistan cricket board who will be issued multi-city visa, the sources said.

The visa applicants will also have to attach a copy of the ticket purchased to watch the series that would comprise three ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals between December 25, this year and January 6, next year. The ODI matches will be played in Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi and the Twenty20 games in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

Source: TOI

************************************************************************

Thoughts?

Having a sponsor is a bit harsh! How many cricket lovers from pakistan could have a sponsor in India. Return ticket theory seems to be Legit.

 

[Safriz]

Looks like indian govt had to back off..
Nobody is that desperate for a cricket match in india that they will take the trouble of finding an indian sponsor,and that must have effected ticket sales.
Nothing wrong with asking for a return ticket.

 

[livingdead]

^^^ Back off from what? Did they want to stop fans from coming?

 

[Phoenix89]

and that must have effected ticket sales.

Ticket sales will not be affected by that, even a test match (Ind-Eng) here in Ahmedabad and Mumbai sees a crowd of 10,000.

Ind-Pak match always will be a full house affair.

 

[Devil Soul]

Ok Thank You... Bye Bye

 

[arp2041]

Looks like indian govt had to back off..
Nobody is that desperate for a cricket match in india that they will take the trouble of finding an indian sponsor,and that must have effected ticket sales.
Nothing wrong with asking for a return ticket.

Meh puuch raha tha sponsorship key liye, toh nahi maan raha tha, ab lagao paisey return ticket kharidney mey

 

[third eye]

Tickets should be sold to groups of 10 - 15 ppl whose leader should be responsible for the safe return of the group.

 

[livingdead]

Tickets should be sold to groups of 10 - 15 ppl whose leader should be responsible for the safe return of the group.

Well, you can make only local sponsor accountable. How do you fix responsibility on a pakistani?

 

[Safriz]

Meh puuch raha tha sponsorship key liye, toh nahi maan raha tha, ab lagao paisey return ticket kharidney mey

No probs...you can still pay for my ticket....

 

[third eye]

Well, you can make only local sponsor accountable. How do you fix responsibility on a pakistani?

They all return together or face detention together - the group travels together quite like a tour to Europe etc the travel agents organise.

 

[Sugarcane]

IMO - No need to have these stupid games in current environment when trust deficit is that much high. Indian agencies are not capable of countering terrorists - any third force can do a false flag operation to take advantage. Furthermore - in return we also have to relax Visas and same is the case with our agencies. So - It's better to India & Pakistan first cooperate to end their proxy wars and normalize the relations and solve their disputes - cricket can wait or can be played in third country.

 

[livingdead]

IMO - No need to have these stupid games in current environment when trust deficit is that much high. Indian agencies are not capable of countering terrorists - any third force can do a false flag operation to take advantage. Furthermore - in return we also have to relax Visas and same is the case with our agencies. So - It's better to India & Pakistan first cooperate to end their proxy wars and normalize the relations and solve their disputes - cricket can wait or can be played in third country.

I guess GoI believes its good opportunity for people to people contact, but we need to plug to holes whereever possible. No point of blaming pakistan (who inturn will blame non state actors), if we dont do our homework.
Its impossible to avoid terror attack in India (or even pakistan...) but one can make it difficult for terrorists without hassling normal people.

Its not as if homegrown terror attack does not happens in India, but another attack planned in pakistan soil will be a setback to relationship.

 

[Hobo1]

The Government may issue a multi-city visa to Pakistani cricket lovers planning to witness the forthcoming cricket series beginning December 25 if they provide tickets of the matches and return ticket besides having an Indian sponsor.

These norms are must be keep yahoos at bay who illegally stay back and wreak havoc.

 

[Safriz]

I guess GoI believes its good opportunity for people to people contact, but we need to plug to holes whereever possible. No point of blaming pakistan (who inturn will blame non state actors), if we dont do our homework.
Its impossible to avoid terror attack in India (or even pakistan...) but one can make it difficult for terrorists without hassling normal people.

Its not as if homegrown terror attack does not happens in India, but another attack planned in pakistan soil will be a setback to relationship.

GOI tries to pose cooler than they actually are.....
This is india not Germany.

 

[seethru]

GOI tries to pose cooler than they actually are.....
This is india not Germany.

if Germany had to grant visa to a Pakistani, they'd probably intimate right away to the secret service to security Tag the person.