Along with 3,000 Pakistani cricket fans, India will host some 300 VIPs from across the border for the upcoming India-Pakistan limited overs cricket series. Sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs said though the Pakistan government has not disclosed names of dignitaries who would be visiting India to watch the matches, certain “top leaders” were likely to come.
“This issue could informally come up during the meeting between Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik in Delhi later this week.In view of improving Indo-Pak relations, Mr. Shinde is likely to invite a few important leaders for the matches,” a senior official said.
In a first, the government has decided to give multiple-city visas to Pakistani visitors. provided they have valid match tickets and other necessary documents.
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“It has been decided that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would send 50 VIP tickets per venue to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the four venues (other than Delhi) and for Delhi, they would send 100 VIP tickets to PCB. Further, 500 spectator tickets per venue would be sent by BCCI to PCB for the four venues (other than Delhi) and for Delhi, 1,000 spectator tickets would be sent to PCB,” Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran said in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.