Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established a committee of ministers and heads of intelligence agencies to help decide whether Pakistan will travel to India for the ODI World Cup later this year.
Local media reported that the committee will be headed by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Among ongoing tension between Pakistan and India, and serious security concerns, Pakistan’s participation in the ICC World Cup is not yet a done deal.
The World Cup is scheduled to start in October but Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said it needs the government’s approval to send the squad to India.
Last week, the PCB sent a letter to the prime minister formally requesting permission.
Sources told Geo News that Shehbaz decided to establish the committee after receiving the request. The sources also said that the committee will make recommendations on all matters related to the World Cup in India and based on these, a decision will be taken as to whether Pakistan will participate.
In addition to Zardari, the committee comprises Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordination Ehsan-ur-Rehman Mazari, and the chiefs of the national security institutions.
The PCB also requested a security assessment be done on the five venues where World Cup matches will be held.
According to the schedule, Pakistan is expected to play India on October 15 in Ahmedabad.
If Pakistan reaches the semi-final, they will play in Kolkata. The final will be held in Ahmedabad on November 15.
