2 More Indian airports that will now accept Pakistani Airlines

Even as Shiv Sena has threatened Pakistani athletes of dire consequences if they come to India, Indian government has opened new gates for Pakistani sportspersons to come and play for 12th South Asian Games, to be held in Guwahati and Shillong.

For the games to be held in February next year, Pakistani sportspersons would be able to enter India through Kolkata and Guwahati airports. At present, Pakistanis can either enter India by foot from Wagah-Attari border or use the air route to enter Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. However, all these are at considerable distances from Guwahati and Shillong, which is why arrangements have been done to welcome Pakistanis athletes from Kolkata and Guwahati airports.

12th South Asian Games would be the first major sporting event after India hosted the 19th Commonwealth Games in 2010 which would see a good number of Pakistani athletes in India. "Since Guwahati and Kolkata airports are near to the venue of South Asian Games, they have been added to the designated check posts for Pakistani Passport holders and non-validated pass (NVP) holders during the period of South Asian Games," says an order issued by the Home Ministry.

"By allowing them to enter from Kolkata and Guwahati, we intend to cause no inconvenience the Pakistani sportspersons as they can make a quick and short journey to the sports stadium," a senior government official told ET.

This step was required for the safety of Pakistani contingent after their government raised concern over it. A team from Pakistan is also expected to come to India, in January, to ensure the safety measures. After 26/11 Mumbai attacks which were masterminded by some Pakistani nationals, there have been a lot of protests about Pakistanis coming to Mumbai, which is why the Indian government thinks that it would be safer for them to step foot directly in Kolkata and Guwahati.

The sporting event would also see Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Afghanistan participating.

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