NEW DELHI: Indian tennis players want their Davis Cup tie against Pakistan moved away from Islamabad over safety fears, a top official said Tuesday.
India are scheduled to play the Asia/Oceania Group 1 tie in the Pakistani capital on September 14 and 15.
But tensions between the neighbors have grown since India revoked the special autonomy status of Kashmir, which the nuclear-armed rivals have fought over since gaining independence in 1947.
Pakistan has frozen diplomatic ties and halted travel between the two countries. The All India Tennis Association said it has sought a meeting with the International Tennis Federation to force a change of venue.
“Mahesh Bhupathi, the Indian captain, has spoken to me. It is very concerning for the players to participate under such circumstances. They are looking for a remedy to play elsewhere,” AITA secretary Hironmoy Chatterjee told AFP.
“We have told the ITF that the Indian ambassador has been sent back, diplomatic relations have been downgraded, airspace over Pakistan for Indian flights has been stopped, road and train connection is stalled.
The ITF said in a statement that it was satisfied with Pakistan’s security plan for the event.
“We are working closely with the host nation and independent expert security advisers — the ITF is satisfied with their current security assessment of the site and the security plan in place,” the world body said.
“The overall security risk rating for Pakistan has not changed, however, we will continue to monitor the situation closely with our advisers.”
On Monday, India’s sports minister Kiren Rijiju said the government would not prevent the team from playing the Davis Cup tie in Pakistan as it was not a bilateral series and was organized by a world body.
India cut bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan after deadly attacks in Mumbai in 2008 that authorities blamed on Pakistani militants, with just one limited-overs tour in 2012-13.
An Indian tennis team last played a Davis Cup tie in Pakistan in 1964, when they beat the hosts 4-0. Pakistan lost 3-2 when they played in Mumbai in 2006.
Until recently, Pakistan has been forced to host Davis Cup ties at neutral venues as teams refused to travel to the South Asian nation over security concerns.
India wants Pakistan Davis Cup tie moved over security fears
India wants Pakistan Davis Cup tie moved over security fears
- India are scheduled to play the Asia/Oceania Group 1 tie in the Pakistan on September 14 and 15
- Pakistan has frozen diplomatic ties and halted travel between the two countries after India’s August 5 move on Kashmir
Pakistan completes first phase of 10-day training for Hajj facilitators in Islamabad
- “Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj” are trained government employees who facilitate Pakistani pilgrims during Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
- Hajj facilitators equipped with digital maps, life-saving skills and crowd management modules to assist pilgrims, says official
Islamabad: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) has concluded its first phase of a 10-day modern training program for “Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj” or Hajj facilitators in Islamabad, state media reported recently, vowing to provide professional assistance to pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj are trained government employees who facilitate Pakistani pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Speaking to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Zulfiqar Khan, Pakistan’s coordinator for Makkah and Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj, said Hajj facilitators have been equipped with digital maps, life-saving skills from the Rescue 1122 emergency services and crowd management modules provided by the Islamabad Police.
He said the training program marks a shift from traditional briefings to technical training in line with the best practices adopted in Indonesia, Turkiye and Malaysia.
“In a major move to ensure the smoothest Hajj experience in history for Pakistani pilgrims, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has successfully concluded the first phase of a 10-day modern training program for Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj,” APP reported on Sunday.
Khan told APP that the Rescue 1122 emergency service conducted “mock exercises” for CPR and emergency medical aid during the first phase of the training. He said the program is divided into two phases: a joint session and the upcoming “Functional Level” specialized training.
“This second phase will prepare food, transport, and building teams for their specific ‘job desks’ to handle any crisis effectively,” the state media reported.
Khan said the government has included a “significant” number of female assistants for this year’s Hajj to ensure comprehensive support for all pilgrims. He highlighted that assistants have been equipped with a ‘digital view’ of Mina’s roads, bridges and Jamarat routes, making them fully aware of camp locations and zones well in advance.
He said 870 Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj, selected through a competitive process, will serve as the backbone of the transport, food and accommodation sectors.
“This modern training signifies that Hajj 2026 will serve as an administrative role model, ensuring both spiritual peace and logistical excellence for our pilgrims,” he was quoted as saying.
This year 179,210 pilgrims from Pakistan will perform Hajj, according to MoRA. Of these, 119,210 pilgrims will travel under the government scheme, while 60,000 will go through private tour operators, with applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
