Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Indian High Commission refused to grant visas to Pakistan players and officials scheduled to participate in the World Junior Squash Championship in Chennai next month, an official of the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) revealed on Monday. The official said the PSF submitted visa request in April, the Indian HC returned the passports without visas after a span of two months. “Although visa processing time for India as per the official website of High Commission of India is 35 days, whereas event is planned to start from 18 July but the PSF had applied for Indian visa well in advance,” said the PSF spokesman in a statement. “Timely intimation of visa processing was also forwarded to World Squash Federation (WSF), Asian Squash Federation (ASF) and organisers so that required assistance could be ensured,”
he added.

However, according to the spokesman, the High Commission of India in Islamabad returned all passports of the Pakistan contingent on June 20, refusing visas to the contingent. “Passports were returned by Indian High Commission stating that they are not in a position to issue visas to the Pakistan contingent and no substantial reason was mentioned,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PSF has approached World squash bodies to look into matter and ensure participation of Pakistan players in the World Junior Championship 2018 or cancel this event. “This is totally against the ethics of sports. We believe that sportsmen help in strengthening relations amongst nations,” the statement from PSF stated.

Published in Daily Times, June 26^th 2018.