ISLAMABAD, Nov 26 The Government of Pakistan has expressed its concern over the security of the national hockey team during the forthcoming hockey World Cup-2010, saying that it would be giving top priority to the matter before issuing a No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to the squad for participation in the event, slated to be held in India from Feb 28 to March 13.

Pakistan qualified for the quadrennial spectacle only recently when they won the qualifiers in Lille, France, earlier this month.

“Both countries [Pakistan and India] have witnessed turbulent diplomatic ties during the last several decades and especially after the Mumbai attacks. However, we will have to assess the security situation in India through our High Commission in New Delhi before sending out the squad to the host country,” a senior official of the federal government told Dawn on Thursday.

Sports, particularly cricket and hockey, has suffered a lot due to the strained relations between the two countries in the recent past.

There were the Indian cricket and hockey teams, which could not cross into Pakistan last year and as a result they cancelled their scheduled sports tours citing security concerns.

The official, on condition of anonymity, pointed out “The security situation is not good in the entire region. Still assuring foolproof security for the Pakistan hockey team will be the Federal Government's top priority.”

Meanwhile, when approached the Federal Minister for Sports Pir Aftab Shah Jilani, added “Player security is a concern for us and the ministry will be assessing all the aspects, including the political milieu at the time, before the issuance of the NOCs.”

The minister also informed of Pakistan Hockey Federation's (PHF) stance regarding the matter. According to him, PHF President Qasim Zia had already said the federation would seek the government clearance before proceeding to India.

He said “The Ministry of Sports will certainly seek the report and advice of the Interior Ministry and the Foreign Office.”

The minister asserted “The security of all the players or officials who will be traveling to India in the near future will remain on the priority list of the government.”