Government eases norms for Pakistani cricket fans

India has relaxed rules for Pakistani cricket fans as persons above 65 years and below 15 years of age will not be required to do police reporting during their visit for the forthcoming World T20 tournament. But keeping a close vigil on the persons travelling from Pakistan, India will collect biometrics of all Pakistani fans while entering and exiting the country. This time New Delhi is not seeking ‘’return ticket’’ details as the biometrics will enable Indian agencies to ensure they have exited the country.

With the venue being shifted from Dharamsala to Kolkata, Pakistanis who have already got visas need to seek changes by approaching the Indian consulate since their port of entry will change. While the Wagah-Attari border would have been the preferred entry point for Pakistani fans going to Dharamsala, now their route plans will have to be changed to reach Kolkata.

India is issuing multi-city short-term visas to Pakistani cricket fans, to enable them to watch atleast two matches where their team will be playing. To apply for visas, all the Pakistani fans need to share details of confirmed match tickets, places of accommodation, travel details like confirmed rail, air tickets to visit the country. If Pakistani visitors are keen to visit any other places within the country, they require to seek special permission, the sources said.

New Delhi is setting aside approximately 1,000 visas for Pakistani fans. The home ministry is following the standard conditions framed in 2012 to avoid any hiccups in the entire process and fulfil the security requirements. While all Pakistanis travelling to India will need to undergo police verification once they set foot here, this time, the exemption has been given to persons above 65 years of age and below 15 years, top sources said, adding that the move was cleared by the government to make their visit smooth.

Pakistan will play two matches in Mohali, Punjab — against New Zealand on March 22 and against Australia on March 25.

The semi-finals of the World Twenty20 cricket tournament will be held in New Delhi on March 30 and in Mumbai a day later. The final will be played in Kolkata on April 3. The tournament’s qualifying matches have began on Tuesday.