NEW DELHI: The National Rifle Association of Pakistan (NRAP) has confirmed that India has not provided its shooting contingent with visas to travel to the city for participating in the International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF) World Cup starting Thursday, Press Trust of India reports.
Contrary to statements issued by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on Monday, the Indian High Commission in Islamabad was instructed at the 11th hour not to issue visas for shooters Muhammad Akhtar, Ghulam Bashir and their coach Razi Ahmed.
Earlier, Pakistan had received NOCs to carry its ammunition to the event and was ready with its travelling arrangements. The fallout from the Pulwana terror attacks on 14 February has worsened India-Pakistan relations diplomatically. A source in the NRAP also confirmed that one of the contingent members is in the Pakistan Navy, making matters complicated.
“We were supposed to fly out by Wednesday morning as the championship begins from Thursday but we were not issued visas today (Tuesday) so the visit is as good as off,” Ahmed told PTI in Karachi.
“I was a bit worried about getting the visas after the Pulwama incident and our fears have come true. It is disappointing that our shooters will not get a chance to try to qualify for the Olympic Games,” he added.
Times of India reported on Tuesday that the NRAP has already shot off a letter to the NRAI over the issue, expressing its disappointment and marked the world governing body ISSF in it as well.
The consequences of India’s call could have a severe impact on the NRAI as well as the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), which has faced the wrath of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in recent times for attempting to block the participation of some overseas athletes in world events it has hosted due to diplomatic issues.
