No relaxation of visa rules for Pakistani fans: India

E-Paper | June 15, 2026

KARACHI: Pakistani fans who are hoping to go to India for the upcoming series between the two arch-rivals will need local sponsors to get the visa to cross over to the border.

“There will be no relaxation of visa rules for the cricket fans. We cannot compromise our security as it is our prime concern. So, whoever seeks a visa, has to name a local sponsor,” a Home Ministry official was quoted as saying by PTI.

There is no set number of visas which will be issued to Pakistanis for the series but all applicants must show proof that they are going to watch the series which will be played between December 25 and January 6 and whoever is eligible will be issued a visa.

The rivals have not played a series since Pakistan’s tour of India in 2007, after cricket ties were snapped following the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Twelve Pakistanis disappeared in India during the series in 2007 and the reason behind their disappearance still has to be determined.

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Gautam

Nov 13, 2012 06:15am

Is it just an incident that twelve Pakistanis disappeared in India during the series in 2007 and Mumbai paid the ultimate price in 2008?

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G.A.

Nov 12, 2012 10:51pm

Local sponsor?? India is not Dubai or London that has a huge Pakistani diaspora living there. Any other dim witted ideas?

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Silajit

Nov 13, 2012 02:39am

Sensible thing to do - not to open the floodgates.

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Comman man

Nov 13, 2012 11:41am

Now India going strict rules for Pakistan and Bangladesh people bcoz of Security concern ..any how some of fans from pakis will miss the matches..

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Kumar

Nov 12, 2012 10:14pm

good move to check cross border infiltration.

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Sandy

Nov 14, 2012 07:42am

BCCI will never allow it to happen.

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Rattan(Sydney)

Nov 13, 2012 03:29am

It is sad that not many Pakistanis will be able to come up with a sponsorship from the Indian side.What if the Pakistani government can give an undertaking for the fans who want to come over? I think that should be acceptable to the Indian side.

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Roney Indian

Nov 14, 2012 06:45am

So India should lay a red carpet after all the terrorist attacks and infiltration from pak?ur are brainwashed hence cannot think straight...grow up

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G.A.

Nov 13, 2012 01:05pm

Indians are wonderful, friendly people. But sometimes they pull cheap stunts like these that makes you understand why Jinnah made Pakistan. Imagine what nonsense that principled man had to go through in India. Indian Government should have just refused this series instead of accepting it and then trashing it with this ridiculous visa requirement.

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Raw Agent

Nov 13, 2012 01:08pm

ha ha ha..!! Bas kar pagle rulayega kya... :D

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Deep

Nov 13, 2012 01:12pm

Bro pls dont be so rude to Pakistanis I am an Indian too, but I dot think u have ever met any Pakistani. Please try to mix wit ppl frm our western neighboring country, I guess then ur such anger against Pakistanis will reduce. We can't blame whole nation and its ppl for acts of some radical ppl who r minority. I hav mixed with Pakistanis as I lived abroad for a while, I can tell u one thing tat tey r same as us very good ppl with big heart.

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Silajit

Nov 13, 2012 02:19pm

Stop it! There's nothing wrong with friendship - as unlikely as it might seem.

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kashif

Nov 13, 2012 05:29am

I don't understand why the hell in the world Pakistanis are so desperate to go to India.... Why there is a need to talk about visa relaxing thing. Why Pakistani get out of 'India jana hy thing'....to get humiliated and what not.....Pakistanis should learn to get respected....

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Sandy

Nov 14, 2012 07:38am

Rightly said.

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AK47

Nov 13, 2012 12:29am

Leave India alone, majority of Indians donot want anything with pakistan, why can't you understand this simple fact?? you are not welcomed in India! go away! how can you even think of any relation when all you want is to harm India. Stop begging for friendship

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Indusonian

Nov 13, 2012 03:07am

And why should they relax, only Pakistan suppose to give all the concessions even though if Pakistan suffers losses.

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raja hindustani

Nov 13, 2012 09:01am

Internal security is important then cricket.

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Raheem(India)

Nov 12, 2012 08:21pm

right move

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Jack

Nov 12, 2012 06:14pm

Sure after 26/11, security first and cricket second for India. Glad that it is a short trip to avoid to much hassle for both teams. Just wondering how a trip to India will change the security and internal situation in Pakistan?

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Indi

Nov 12, 2012 07:13pm

Haaahaaahaa..I knew there was a catch...

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Dr Riz

Nov 12, 2012 07:06pm

Indian should play in Dubai if they can't issue the visa for Cricket fans..........

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Divya

Nov 12, 2012 06:50pm

There is no question of relaxing the visa rules, be it for a Pakistani national, be it for anybody! The country's interest and security comes first!

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fida sayani

Nov 12, 2012 05:01pm

if this is the behaviour of indian govt, pakistan should cancel the cricket tour.

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