Gilani to decide on Manmohan’s Indo-Pak WC semi-final game invitation today
March 26th, 2011 - 1:46 pm ICT by ANI
Islamabad, Mar 26(ANI): Pakistan has confirmed receiving an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to his Pakistani counterpart Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari for watching the Indo-Pak World Cup semi-final clash next week, and Gilani will take a final decision in this regard on Saturday (today).
“Invitations for President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani from the Indian Prime Minister His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh to watch the World Cup Semi Final match to be held at Mohali on 30th March have been received this [Friday] evening at the Foreign Office,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
When Gilani, who extended his two-day visit to Uzbekistan due to inclement weather, was informed about the invitation on Friday evening during his visit to a university campus, he responded with a broad smile and said that it was an interesting gesture.
It is likely that Pakistan will accept the invitation and Gilani will go to Mohali to watch the historic match on March 30.
Interestingly, Dr. Singh has extended the invitation to both the Pakistan president and prime minister simultaneously- something extraordinary since the invitation had to be extended to only one dignitary, The News reports.
It is expected that New Delhi would be asked to explain on an urgent basis about the confusion created by the communication pertaining to the invitation message, the report said.
Sources made it clear that Pakistan would demonstrate its sportsman spirit while responding to the invitation, provided the Indian explanation is received by Islamabad well in time.
If the Indian response is delayed, Pakistan will take a decision in this regard after Gilani’s return to Islamabad on Saturday afternoon, the sources added. (ANI)
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