World T20: Pakistan refutes Indian claim of approving 19 match permits

The Pakistan High Commission here on Thursday refuted an Indian claim that the mission had been approved 19 permits for witnessing World T20 matches in which Pakistan is taking part.

The high commission officials here maintained that the mission had applied for permits to 34 officials to watch four matches -- two in Kolkata and two in Mohali, a high commission official said on condition of anonymity.

He said so far, only 10 applications have been approved which include one for High Commissioner Abdul Basit.

"Permits for the defence, naval and air force advisors; press and political counsellors; and protocol assistants have not been approved so far," the PHC official said.

"The figure of 19 given by India is misleading as it also includes family members of those who have not received approval yet," the official added.

"Pakistan has never hosted a T20 World Cup ... India is hosting it but not allowing Commission officials to be present at venues where our team is playing," the official said.

Indian External Affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup had on Wednesday said that considering the occasion, 19 approvals were issued as a gesture to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

"This has been conveyed to Pakistan ministry of foreign affairs at senior levels," Swarup said.