Okay with India if Musharraf sticks to cricket alone, for him to decide now

Later, Pakistan Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said in Islamabad that Musharraf was ‘‘positively thinking’’ of going to India though the dates of the visit or the match he wanted to watch were not confirmed.

‘‘It is under process. It is under discussion,’’ said Rashid.

In London, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh told reporters after a meeting with his British counterpart Jack Straw that it was left to Musharraf to decide the date and the venue.

Musharraf had expressed the hope that he would be able to watch one of matches during an interview to a Pakistani newspaper last month, but added that he would only go if he was invited.

The government, sources said, had entered into consultations with other political parties before deciding to invite the Pakistan President. Former Pakistan President Zia-ul-Haq had visited India watch a cricket match in Jaipur in 1987.

Last year, Islamabad had also extended an invite to then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to witness one of the matches when the Indian team toured Pakistan after a gap of 14 years. While Vajpayee could not make it, his Principal Secretary and then National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra was present at the one-dayer at Lahore. Musharraf, who is the patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board, had also watched one of the one-dayers, then.

This time, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) had also approached the Sports Ministry, expressing its desire to invite Musharraf to watch one of the matches.

Diplomats on both sides are now busy trying to work out the most convenient venue, bearing in mind Musharraf’s security requirements and availability.

(With agencies/London & Islamabad)