Delay Over Visa Resolution
Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, confirmed his impending visit to India, expressing relief after receiving assurances about Pakistani journalists’ visa approvals for covering the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Positive Developments on Visa Delays
Zaka Ashraf explained that he had postponed his travel plans to India until a resolution was reached regarding the visa applications of Pakistani journalists. He received confirmation that these journalists were instructed to submit their passports to facilitate their visa acquisition for covering the prestigious event.
PCB Chief’s Visit and Support for Team
Zaka Ashraf will also attend Pakistan’s match against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, scheduled for Saturday. His primary aim during this visit is to motivate the team. He intends to encourage the players to continue their fearless approach, which they have consistently displayed throughout the event.
Commendation for Team’s Performance
Zaka Ashraf expressed his delight with the team’s performance, indicating that both the PCB management committee and the entire nation are firmly behind the players as they strive for a successful campaign in the ongoing World Cup.
Visa Processing Begins in India
In a recent development, the Indian embassy has initiated the visa processing for Pakistani journalists seeking to travel to India for coverage of the ICC event. The embassy has started contacting the interested journalists, instructing them to promptly submit their passports.
PCB’s Expresses Concern Over Visa Delay
This significant development comes after the PCB voiced its dissatisfaction with the prolonged delay in the issuance of Indian visas for Pakistani fans and journalists, despite the World Cup 2023 being underway for nearly a week.
Zaka Ashraf’s Intervention
Zaka Ashraf, the PCB Chairman, took the initiative to call upon Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi to express serious concerns and alarm regarding the visa delay. He also requested the foreign secretary to address the issue by engaging with India’s Home Ministry through the Pakistan High Commission Office in New Delhi.
Responsibilities of the Host Country
According to the rules set by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the host country is responsible for issuing visas to fans and journalists for event coverage. The delay in visa issuance had raised concerns, as India had not yet responded to Pakistan’s requests.
The situation regarding the visas had remained uncertain, despite the commencement of the World Cup on October 5.
PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf Confirms India Trip Following Visa Assurance for Journalists
Visa Delay Resolution
Zaka Ashraf, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, has announced his upcoming visit to India after securing assurances regarding visas for Pakistani journalists covering the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Relief After Visa Confirmation
Ashraf expressed his relief, stating that he had postponed his India trip until the visa situation for Pakistani journalists was resolved. He was pleased to confirm that Pakistani journalists had been instructed to submit their passports, signifying progress in the visa issuance process.
Supporting Team Pakistan
While in India, Ashraf will also attend Pakistan’s match against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He sees his role as motivating the team and will encourage them to maintain their fearless approach, which has been a hallmark of their performance throughout the event.
Praise for Team Performance
Ashraf praised the team’s performance, emphasizing that both the PCB management committee and the nation are fully behind the players, supporting their quest for a successful campaign in the ongoing World Cup.
Visa Processing Commences in India
The Indian embassy has taken the important step of initiating the visa processing for Pakistani journalists who wish to travel to India for ICC event coverage. Journalists have been contacted and instructed to expedite the submission of their passports.
PCB’s Concerns Addressed
The PCB had expressed its concerns about the delay in obtaining Indian visas for Pakistani fans and journalists, despite the World Cup 2023 being in progress for almost a week.
Zaka Ashraf’s Advocacy
In response to these concerns, Zaka Ashraf, the PCB Chairman, proactively engaged with Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi. He conveyed serious apprehensions regarding the visa delay and also requested that the foreign secretary intervene by raising the issue with India’s Home Ministry through the Pakistan High Commission Office in New Delhi.
Host Country Visa Obligations
In accordance with ICC regulations, the host country is responsible for issuing visas to fans and journalists covering the event. India had faced criticism for not expediting the visa process, despite the World Cup having commenced on October 5. The situation was marked by uncertainty until recent developments.
