Pakistan Scrabble Association (PSA) Director Tariq Perez told APP, “Despite submitting applications two months in advance, the Indian High Commission has delayed processing, issuing some visas too late for players to attend.”
India has also denied visas to a delegation of Pakistani air traffic controllers (ATCs) who were set to participate in the International Air Traffic Controllers Asia-Pacific Conference, scheduled from November 9 to 11 in New Delhi. This move has sparked further tension as diplomatic challenges continue to impact regional events.
Perez said that half the team was denied visas without explanation, including players who had previously competed and won in India last year. The PSA expressed disappointment over the decision, describing it as a setback to the sporting spirit and fair competition.
“As reigning World Youth Champions and defending Asian Youth titleholders, Pakistan’s absence is a significant blow,” Perez added, noting that the players had travelled to Lahore expecting visa approvals and would now return to Karachi.
The visa denials surprised tournament organisers, who had cooperated closely with Pakistani authorities and secured necessary approvals, Perez noted. He confirmed that the Pakistan team would now focus on future international competitions with hopes of more favourable outcomes.
Sixteen-year-old Affan Salman, one of Pakistan’s standout players, recently won the 19th World Youth Scrabble Championship in Sri Lanka in September.
Pakistan, ranked as the top team, claimed the team trophy with four players in the top ten. Affan follows his brother Ali Salman, who won the same title in 2022, marking the only instance of two brothers holding the World Youth title consecutively.
This move has sparked further tension as diplomatic challenges continue to impact regional events.
According to aviation sources, the three-member Pakistani delegation had planned to attend the conference, which gathers air traffic professionals from across the region to discuss industry developments and cooperation.
Pakistani ATCs submitted visa applications several weeks prior but were informed that visas would not be issued.
Without visas, the Pakistani ATC Guild’s delegation could not depart for the New Delhi conference.
Earlier this year, India turned down the visa applications of 118 Pakistanis who wanted to participate in the annual urs celebrations of Hazrat Amir Khusrau and only 80 others on April 25 were allowed to enter the neighbouring country to attend the event.
The federal religious affairs ministry had submitted a total of 198 visa applications to India for this purpose.
Pilgrims from different cities of the country had reached Lahore and waited for two days in the city to receive their visas.
However, only 80 of them were permitted to cross the Wagah border near Lahore to depart for New Delhi.
The rest of them returned to their native cities and towns feeling disappointed that their visa application was rejected.
The urs celebrations are taking place from April 23 to April 30 in Delhi.
Hazrat Khusrau was a spiritual disciple of Sufi saint Hazrat Khawaja Syed Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya.
