The issue of the departure of Pakistan’s cricket team to India to participate in the T-20 World Cup is still hanging in balance even after the shifting of the venue of Pakistan’s match against India from Dharmsala to Kolkata.
There is a strong lobby in Pakistan which is in favour of sending the National team to India at any cost— ignoring the threat to the security and life of our players. But the Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan acted firmly and decisively in the afternoon of the 10th of March and declared categorically that in the absence of undeniable and well-stated assurances, on the part of the Indian government, of foolproof security to be provided to the Pakistan team, there was simply no likelihood of our team embarking upon a journey into the jaws of murderous hatred.
The contention of the Indian authorities is that their country is in no position to provide written guarantees of security to one specific team.
Pakistan’s point of view is that only Pakistan team has been singled out for making target of a vicious hate-campaign; thus the unavoidable need for formal written assurances.
I sincerely hope Chaudhry Nisar proves to be as good as his words.
India is unlikely to hold on to its arrogance if Pakistan stays firm.
