World T20: Only 600 visas cleared for 17,000 applications for Pakistani fans

NEW DELHI: The home ministry has cleared only 600 visas for Pakistani cricket fans so far out of the 17,000 applications received for T20 cricket matches, officials said on Thursday amid growing row between the two countries over the issue.

The government is adhering to stricter guidelines and only those who fulfil the requirements will be issued visas for the matches, said one of the officials, who did not wish to be identified. India is treading cautiously because the investigations into the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks had revealed that Pakistani terrorists and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had misused visas issued by the country.

It was revealed during the questioning of 26/11 handler Syed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal that Sajid Mir and Major Abdur Rehman, both wanted in connection with the 2008 attacks, had visited India after the duo got visas to witness India-Pakistan cricket series in 2005.

Mir, according to investigators, is the top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander and was on a reconnaissance trip even before the terrorist group recruited David Headley. A senior home ministry official said that though India had been liberal in granting visas to Pakistani spectators, this time stringent measures have been adopted.

The latest guidelines require purchase of a valid ticket and confirmed hotel bookings, proof of address and copy of polio vaccination certificate not older than one year for a visa. The spectators are also required to share their travel plan.

India has included Kolkata this time as a port of entry and exit, along with Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Attar.