The Interior Ministry has also assured the Pakistan Football Federation of issuing visas
The issue of the Afghanistan football team’s arrival in Pakistan to play the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers has been resolved.
According to sources, after the Federal Interior Minister took notice, visas have been issued to most of the players of the Afghanistan football team.
Visas have been issued to 15 of the 23 players in the Afghanistan squad. The remaining players are likely to be issued visas today.
Sources say that in addition to the squad, visas have also been issued to 10 officials. Two additional officials are also likely to be issued visas soon.
Sources further say that some Afghan footballers may get visas on arrival.
The Interior Ministry has also assured the Pakistan Football Federation of issuing visas.
Sources say that the 23-member squad of the Afghanistan football team will reach Islamabad tonight. The Afghanistan football team submitted applications to the Kabul embassy between September 25 and 27.
20 players in the 23-member Afghanistan football squad are expatriates, only three players are Afghan nationals.
Afghanistan had written to the Kabul embassy in Pakistan for the biometrics of the expatriate players. Later, Afghanistan requested another Pakistani embassy instead of Kabul for the biometrics.
Visas were delayed due to the change in the location of the biometrics and the internet blackout in Kabul.
Sources say that the match between Pakistan and Afghanistan to be played tomorrow will be played on time. A fine may also be imposed if the Afghanistan football team does not reach Pakistan on time.
The AFC administration is authorized to inquire into the matter and take a final decision.
The Pak-Afghan football match is scheduled for 2 pm tomorrow at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad.
