Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday made it clear that Pakistan cricket team will not visit India to participate in World Twenty20 unless the Indian government publicly issues a guarantee of fool-proof security to our team. "Pakistan cricket team would not be allowed to go to India for participation in the upcoming World Twenty20 cricket tournament till a clear and public guarantee of security by the Indian government is given as Pakistan-specific threats have been issued in India," he said while talking to media persons at Punjab House.
He said the security team sent by the government to neighbouring country for assessing security situation ahead of Pakistan cricket team's visit, has submitted its final report on Wednesday night and suggested to change the venue of Pakistan-India match from Dharamshala to an alternate venue due to security reasons.
The Interior Minister said the issue related to relocation of match's venue was resolved by the ICC and it was relocated to Kolkatta. After announcement of relocation of the venue, an extremists' organisation in India again started hurling Pakistan-specific threats, he said. "The threats are Pakistan-specific and the government has taken these seriously and decided not to send team until the government of India comes up with a public assurance to provide fool-proof security to Pakistani cricket team. Pakistan government and its people want the team to participate in the World Cup," he said.
He said that the attitude of BCCI is positive but both ICC and BCCI have nothing to do with the security and it is the job of the government. It is the responsibility of New Delhi to ensure security and safety of the Pakistan cricket team, Khan said. About the allegations levelled by an MQM leader, Sarfraz Merchant, he said the committee constituted to probe his allegations including money laundering, links with Indian intelligence agency RAW and criminal activities against MQM supremo Altaf Husssain has summoned Merchant and also indirectly contacted him.
"Merchant has informed the committee that he will consult his legal team regarding his visit to Pakistan. If Marchant agrees to come to Pakistan for facilitation of the committee, the government will provide him complete security," he said. He said if Merchant does not agree to the request of investigation committee then the UK government will be contacted.
He said that an advertisement has also been placed in a newspaper, asking people to come forward if they have any evidence against MQM chief Altaf Hussain relating to money laundering case and his purported links with RAW. "The Ministry of Interior has written letters to all intelligence agencies and Sindh government to share relevant information regarding money laundering and connection of MQM chief with RAW with the committee," he said. He said the committee will complete its report within two weeks and if any concrete evidence is found then the judicial commission would be formed. "If FIA finds some solid evidence then the investigation will move forward," he said.
Khan said the allegations are very serious and it can only be prosecuted through courts after proper evidence is submitted before them. The minister said his political relations with MQM are not good but it was his responsibility that MQM is not subjected to any injustice. Those who are issuing statement in media, the minister said, they must know the cases related to money laundering case and links with RAW are being proceeded in London and its witnesses are also there.
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