India’s special concession to Pak athletes for SAG

India has granted special concession to Pakistani athletes taking part in the 12th South Asian Games by declaring Guwahati and Kolkata as designated entry points for them.

The decision by the Home Ministry came after Islamabad raised concerns over the safety of its athletes following the disruption of a concert by Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali and attack on politician Sudheendra Kulkarni for organising the launch of a book by Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri in Mumbai. Since Guwahati and Kolkata airports are close to the venues of the Games, they have been added to the designated entry points for Pakistani passport holders and non-validated pass (NVP) holders during the period of South Asian Games, a Home Ministry official said.