(a) whether the Government had decided to issue only 250 Visas to Pakistani cricket fans
for November 8, 2007 India-Pak cricket match played at Mohali;
(b) if so, the number of applications received for the above purpose;
(c) whether any guidelines had been issued for the cricket fans;
(d) if so, the details thereof ;
(e) whether a large number of Pakistani cricket fans who visited India in the past had
gone missing; and
(f) if so, the details thereof ?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE)
(a)-(f) As was done for the 2006 Champions Trophy matches, Pakistani applicants holding
valid cricket match tickets were issued up to 250 visas per match. For the Mohali match
125 such visa applications were received and 123 cricket visas were issued. In addition,
170 visas were issued to invitees of Punjab Cricket Association and Pakistan Cricket Board,
to other Pakistani nationals who wanted to witness the Mohali cricket match and to visit
other places in India. Guidelines pertaining to travel, duration and arrangements for stay,
provision for full identity particulars etc. of the applicants were issued. 30 Pakistani
nationals issued cricket visas for matches in 2005 are yet to return to Pakistan and are
not traceable.