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India wants stay in Karachi shortened
February 15, 2004 19:29 IST
Last Updated: February 15, 2004 21:02 IST
The Board of Cricket in India's delegation, inspecting the security arrangements for the Indian cricket team's tour of Pakistan, held a wrap-up meeting with top Pakistani government and cricket Board officials at Lahore to discuss the logistics and modalities of the historic tour on Sunday in Islamabad.
The three-member Indian delegation comprising BCCI Joint Secretary Prof R S Shetty, Inspector General of Police Yashovardhan Azad and Communication Director Amrit Mathur discussed various aspects of the tour and also presented their observations of the security arrangements.
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, who himself attended the meeting, said the PCB was willing to sit down and discuss any concerns the Indian delegation might have about the venues for the series. PCB also indicated that it would simplify the travel formalities for Indian fans willing to visit Pakistan during the series.
"They expressed no concerns with the security arrangements we are making for the Indian team... but they have expressed reservations over their team's long stay in Karachi and Peshawar and want this period to be curtailed," Shaharyar Khan said.
"We will give due consideration to their point of view and try to adjust accordingly."
The delegation, which was on a seven-day tour of the country, visited venues at Multan, Karachi, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Lahore and also held talks with Secretary, Pakistan Interior Ministry, Tasnim Noorani. Noorani had apprised them of the elaborate measures that would be in place from the time the Indian team lands in early March.
The delegation is expected to return to India tomorrow and submit its report to the BCCI in the next couple of days. The itinerary of the tour will be finalised within one week of the submission of the report.