5,000 Pakistanis get visa for WC matches

[Secret Service]

NEW DELHI:
Indian government has so far issued visas to 5,000 Pakistanis to watch World Cup cricket matches, including the final in Mumbai. Most of these are multi-entry visas, allowing Pakistanis to return to India after their respective onward journeys to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for the quarter-final and semi-final matches.

The visas were issued after due security checks by the immigration and various security agencies of each Pakistani national who applied for the travel document much in advance (minimum 45 days) to watch the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final matches to be held in different venues across India.

"The 15-day multiple-entry visas were issued only to those applicants who could show a proper ticket of the ICC World Cup cricket matches, their return journey travel tickets and addresses of their stay in India," a government official said.

Ahmedabad will host the second quarter-final, featuring India and Australia, on March 24, Mohali one semi-final on March 30 and Mumbai will host the final on April 2. So far, Pakistan has not played any of the World Cup matches in India.

[video]http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/5000-Pakistanis-get-visa-for-WC-matches/articleshow/7758609.cms[/video]

 

[Abhishek_]

they are most welcome in India and hope they have a great time

 

[madooxno9]

Welcome...

 

[President Camacho]

I'd advise them to come by road and avoid air-travel lol

 

[Roybot]

I'd advise them to come by road and avoid air-travel lol

why?

 

[JanjaWeed]

I'd advise them to come by road and avoid air-travel lol

why do you say that?? we don't want them to do the recce on their way in!!

 

[JanjaWeed]

yes why??

lol.. you are a wind up merchant.. right??

 

[Roybot]

lol.. you are a wind up merchant.. right??

He is here every day with a fake ID. Persistent troll.

 

[JanjaWeed]

He is here every day with a fake ID. Persistent troll.

u better be careful my friend! looks like he is on to you!!

 

[Roybot]

u better be careful my friend! looks like he is on to you!!

Haha i know, I must have raped him by my arguments in some thread, so he is butthurt, and resorting to cheap tactics. He shall have his share of fun till the mods arrive.

 

[desioptimist]

To all pakistanis, welcome to India. Hope it will not be too much hassle.

 

[SMC]

Why do some Pakistanis want to go to India? Their government and people talk smack about our country 24/7, spread lies and propaganda against us, spread hatred against us, etc. You guys need to start having a bit more dignity and self-respect and stop paying to visit a country whose people and state wants your country destroyed and leaves no stone unturned to spreads lies, propaganda, hatred, etc against.

 

[Roybot]

Why do some Pakistanis want to go to India? Their government and people talk smack about our country 24/7, spread lies and propaganda against us, spread hatred against us, etc. You guys need to start having a bit more dignity and self-respect and stop paying to visit a country whose people and state wants your country destroyed and leaves no stone unturned to spreads lies, propaganda, hatred, etc against.

You are missing the point, they are going to India to support their team!

 

[Lankan Ranger]

5000 Pakistan cricket fans given Indian visa

In a goodwill gesture that can return to haunt the security agencies, India has provided visas to 5,000 Pakistani citizens for watching the ongoing Cricket World Cup matches.

“Most of them have been provided with up to 15-day duration multiple visas to facilitate travel to watch matches in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also,” a senior official said.

Though the Home Ministry said the visas have been given after following well-laid and tough process of security clearances, its own records show that the number of Pakistanis overstaying in India without reporting has increased consistently over the years.

As many as 4,742 Pakistanis had disappeared after expiry of visas in the year 2005, their number had gone up to 5,392 in 2006; 6,038 in 2007; 7,547 in 2008 and 7,691 in 2009.

Only 371 of the 4,742 missing Pakistanis in 2005 were traced and deported. There is no trace of those who remained behind giving credence to security agencies apprehensions that many of such cases could be unwanted elements like terrorists, smugglers, drug dealers and other criminals.

The Ministry, however, said all the visas have been given 45 days in advance on the basis of cricket match tickets, return journey tickets, submission of local address and checking their antecedents with the help of Indian Consulates in Pakistan. They will also have to report to the local Foreigners Regional Registration Officers(FRROs).

India took a lenient view as Pakistan that was to co-host the ICC World Cup along with Sri Lanka and India was declared unsafe by the ICC following objection by several western countries due to increasing terror attacks.

5,000 Pakistan cricket fans given Indian visa | | | Indian Express

 

[Punjabbi Munda]

Why do some Pakistanis want to go to India? Their government and people talk smack about our country 24/7, spread lies and propaganda against us, spread hatred against us, etc. You guys need to start having a bit more dignity and self-respect and stop paying to visit a country whose people and state wants your country destroyed and leaves no stone unturned to spreads lies, propaganda, hatred, etc against.

Then you must be hoping that Pakistan doesn't reach the finals,cuz it is in Mumbai!!