ISLAMABAD, March 4: Pakistan are to go ahead with this month’s SAF Games even without India.

A spokesman for the SAF Games Organising Committee (SGOC) told Dawn that the decision was taken during a presentation made by the Games boss, Lt Gen Arif Hasan to the president and prime minister on Tuesday.

Both president Gen Pervez Musharraf and prime minister Zafarullah Jamali stressed that sports must be kept away from politics.

India have refused to take part in the March 29 to April 7 Games in Islamabad because of security concerns.

During Tuesday’s presentation, Gen Arif gave details about the arrangement made for coverage of the Games on radio, television and the website.

The president and the prime minister appreciated the preparations made by the SGOC for the conduct of the Games.

Federal ministers and secretaries were also present on the occasion.