ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar on Thursday ruled out Pakistani cricket team’s departure to India to participate in Twenty20 World Cup until the Indian government comes up with a public assurance to provide fool-proof security to the team.
Addressing a press conference here, Chaudhry Nisar said Pakistan-specific threats were issued in India, therefore, the Indian government’s authorities should come forward and give fool-proof security assurance for Pakistani team in public.
But, he said, in case the Indian government does not make this announcement, there is no way the Pakistani team would be allowed to leave for India. This is despite the fact that Pakistan government and its people want the team to take part in the T20 World Cup.
He said there were two issues. First, playing in Dharamsala was a complete security risk. This issue was resolved by the ICC by relocating the match venue to Kolkatta.
“The second issue relates to the Pakistan specific threats issued in India,” Nisar pointed out, linking, Pakistan’s team departure to India with the New Delhi’s fool-proof security assurance.
Earlier, he said a committee of Federal Investigation Committee (FIA) constituted by the government has launched its investigation into the statement of Sarfaraz Merchant – a co-accused in money laundering case also involving leaders of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
He said the committee has summoned Sarfaraz Merchant and an advertisement has also been published in a newspaper asking the people to come forward if they have any evidence relating to money laundering case against MQM Chief Altaf Hussain.
In this connection, he said a letter has also been written to intelligence agencies, asking them to share with the FIA committee any information or records of former Joint Investigation Team.
Nisar said he even invites former Karachi Mayor Mustafa Kamal to come forward and share evidence, if any, with the FIA committee in connection with Altaf Hussain’s money laundering case.
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