The meeting of the committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup in India has concluded, as reported by Geo News.
Chaired by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the meeting was attended by Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Qaira, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar. Representatives from various government departments, including the Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister, the adviser on Establishment, PSPM, secret agencies, and sensitive departments, as well as representatives from the Foreign Secretariat’s Asia Desk, were also present. During the meeting, a briefing was given on Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup.
Zaka Ashraf, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, also shared his opinion on the matter during the meeting.
Sources indicate that a security delegation is expected to visit India in the third week of August. Pakistani authorities will coordinate with India and the International Cricket Council (ICC) in this regard. The delegation’s purpose will be to assess the security arrangements at the venues where Pakistan is scheduled to play their matches. The decision on Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup will be made based on the security clearance provided by the delegation.
The World Cup is scheduled to take place in India later this year, in October-November. Pakistan’s first match will be against the Netherlands on October 6 in Hyderabad, and their much-anticipated clash against arch-rivals India is set for October 15 in Ahmedabad.
