Pak not to participate in MWG
The presence of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan is still very much in doubt and it seems that Pakistan may not participate at all, reports Khurram Habib.
It is one of the biggest events ever to come to India. But the Military World Games (MWG), due to be held in October, might not see some of India’s neighbours, the SAARC members.
The presence of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan is still very much in doubt and it seems that Pakistan may not participate at all.
The Ministry of External Affairs’ External Publicity Division, when contacted by HT, said via e mail that Pakistan will not participate.
Sources in the Pakistan High Commission too said that Pakistan are unlikely to take part.
“We have not received any intimation from them and it seems they aren’t interested,” said DJ Narain, vice chairman of the media and marketing, MWG.
As per the latest information, even Afghanistan have not signed the preliminary agreement. When asked about the issue, the Afghan embassy military section said, “We are keen to take part, but the process has to go through the Indian embassy, which is not at all aware of the Games. We asked them but they say they are not aware.”
This seems strange as the MWG says it has sent the invitation. “To our knowledge they are coming,” Narain said.
Bangladesh will not be present as their request for membership to the World Military Games governing body (CISM) has not been accepted.
Said their defence attache, “We applied for the membership, but were not given by the CISM (the world body).”
What is interesting is that the MWG is taking care of the advisories given to them by the government. “Some of the advisories ask us to avoid putting some nations together. Like North and South Korea, and also certain African nations, who are at war back home. It is confusing, but we are taking care of it,” said a MWG official.