India denies permission to 5 Pakistani diplomats to visit Kolkata for World Twenty20 match

New Delhi: The External Affairs Ministry has denied five Pakistani diplomats permission to visit Kolkata for a match tomorrow, citing security reasons.

Reports say that those denied permission were from Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and defence and their travel posed a security threat.

Indian sources said "while two of the diplomats will be given clearance to travel to Kolkata for the Pakistan-Bangladesh cricket match, five will not be given the permission as they have ISI and defence links."

 

An official at the Pakistan High Commission here has, meanwhile, said the diplomats intended to boost the morale of their cricket team.

 

Describing the development as unfortunate, the official said: "It is unfortunate that India, despite being the host of the World Cup, is refusing to fulfil its obligations and creating hurdles".

The official told IANS that appropriate steps will be taken and "Indian deputy high commissioner in Islamabad will also be summoned".

Pakistan will play Bangladesh in a Super 10 Group 2 encounter at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata tomorrow. Pakistan and India will also play at the same venue on March 19.