ID :
170970
Sat, 03/26/2011 - 13:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/170970
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Gilani might accept Manmohan invite for Indo-Pak cricket tie
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Mar 26 (PTI) Pakistan is yet to decide on
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's invitation to its
leaders for the cricket World Cup semi-final at Mohali in
north India, though indications are that Premier Yousuf Raza
Gilani may accept it.
Pakistani officials have dismissed reports that Prime
Minister Gilani has already accepted his Indian counterpart's
invitation to watch the semi-final match between the cricket
teams of the two countries, saying a decision would be made
when the premier returns from a visit to Uzbekistan.
But, official sources told PTI it was likely that
Pakistan will accept the invitation though only Gilani is
expected to go to Mohali to watch the historic match that will
showcase one of the world's most intense sporting rivalries.
A top aide of Gilani who was with him in Tashkent
denied a claim by TV channels that the premier had already
accepted the invitation extended by Singh Friday.
Consultations were being held with the Foreign Office
about a response, he told the Dawn newspaper.
"We have asked for details and serious consideration
will be given to it once we return to Pakistan," the official
said.
Singh Friday invited both Gilani and President Asif
Ali Zardari to watch the semi-final to be played at Mohali on
March 30.
Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar told PTI
Friday that Pakistan welcomed the invitation and would make
a decision after Gilani returns to Islamabad.
Gilani was scheduled to return Friday but his
flight was cancelled because of bad weather over Himalayas. He
is expected to be back in the federal capital later Saturday.
When Gilani was informed about his Indian
counterpart's invitation Friday evening while visiting a
university campus in Uzbekistan, he responded with a broad
smile and said it was an "interesting gesture", media reports
said.
The premier held discussions on the Indian invitation
with senior officials of the Foreign Office and Minister of
State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, who were with him
in Uzbekistan, the media reports said.
Islamabad, Mar 26 (PTI) Pakistan is yet to decide on
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's invitation to its
leaders for the cricket World Cup semi-final at Mohali in
north India, though indications are that Premier Yousuf Raza
Gilani may accept it.
Pakistani officials have dismissed reports that Prime
Minister Gilani has already accepted his Indian counterpart's
invitation to watch the semi-final match between the cricket
teams of the two countries, saying a decision would be made
when the premier returns from a visit to Uzbekistan.
But, official sources told PTI it was likely that
Pakistan will accept the invitation though only Gilani is
expected to go to Mohali to watch the historic match that will
showcase one of the world's most intense sporting rivalries.
A top aide of Gilani who was with him in Tashkent
denied a claim by TV channels that the premier had already
accepted the invitation extended by Singh Friday.
Consultations were being held with the Foreign Office
about a response, he told the Dawn newspaper.
"We have asked for details and serious consideration
will be given to it once we return to Pakistan," the official
said.
Singh Friday invited both Gilani and President Asif
Ali Zardari to watch the semi-final to be played at Mohali on
March 30.
Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar told PTI
Friday that Pakistan welcomed the invitation and would make
a decision after Gilani returns to Islamabad.
Gilani was scheduled to return Friday but his
flight was cancelled because of bad weather over Himalayas. He
is expected to be back in the federal capital later Saturday.
When Gilani was informed about his Indian
counterpart's invitation Friday evening while visiting a
university campus in Uzbekistan, he responded with a broad
smile and said it was an "interesting gesture", media reports
said.
The premier held discussions on the Indian invitation
with senior officials of the Foreign Office and Minister of
State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, who were with him
in Uzbekistan, the media reports said.
