Pak security team to submit its report on Wednesday

LAHORE: The Pakistan security team will submit its report Wednesday on security situation in Dharamsala upon its return from India regarding Pak team’s participation in the World T20 Cup.

The team which is returning home tomorrow will submit its report on the same day and a decision is likely to be taken on the same evening that Pakistan team will travel to India or not, said a spokesman of Pakistan Cricket Board while talking to APP on Tuesday.

The three-member team, comprising Director FIA Lahore Usman Anwar, Col retd Azam and Ubaid Nizamani, is currently in Dharamsala to assess the security arrangements for the Pakistan men and women’s team in the upcoming World T20 Cup.

The security team was constituted by the Pakistan Government after Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Sindh expressed his state government difficulty to provide security to the Pakistan team which is scheduled to play India on March 19 at Dharamsaala .

The government had initially granted the PCB permission to play in India but the board decided to put the visit on hold until they are guaranteed foolproof security of Pak team in India said the spokesman.

He said the safety and security of the Pak team is very important for the PCB and no compromise can be made on it as PCB wants to ensure that the situation is conducive for its teams participation specially when it is playing in India.

He said the security team soon after its return will submit its report to the concerned quarters and a decision will be taken in light of the recommendations to be made by the security team.

World Cup is an important event for PCB but at the same time we want to make sure that if our team plays in India it has no added pressure in terms of security he said.

He said that it is the responsibility of the Indian government to ensure security of the Pakistan team as the World T20 is an international tournament.

He said decision regarding teams participation in the Cup will be made by the Government and will be communicated to the PCB .

When asked about a possible delay in the departure of the Pak team to India the spokesman said it is too early to say on it as we have to wait the decision of the Government as the top most priority is to ensure that Pak team is safe in India.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had stated said that the threats against the Pakistan team are specific and threatened to pull out of the tournament unless the PCB gets a clear message about the security situation from the Indian government.

He also urged India to publicly acknowledge Pakistan’s participation in the tournament and to also promise full security to their cricket team.