Asif detained at Delhi airport, deported

New Delhi: Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif was detained by the immigration department at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday evening, reportedly for travelling without sufficient documents. Despite seeking the Pakistan High Commission’s intervention, the authorities deported him back.
The cricketer had arrived in Delhi to talk to GMR and the Delhi Daredevils management for the settlement of outstanding IPL dues.
According to sources, Asif flew to Mumbai on Saturday on-board a Karachi-Mumbai flight of the Pakistan International Airlines before taking a connecting flight to Delhi. “Asif has a five-year visa issued to him which states he can travel to India as an international cricketer to play in the Indian Premier League,” an airport official said. “However, he was on a personal visit and had not informed the Indian High Commission in Islamabad about the same,” the official added.
Besides, Asif reportedly had visa for entering India via New Delhi only and the fact that he first landed in Mumbai also created problems. “At a time of such high threat perception and growing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, you tend to be extra vigilant.
18/01/09 Geeta Gupta/Indian Express

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Categories: Airports Jan 2009, Foreign Jan 2009