Gilani to meet Zardari over PM?s invitation

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will reportedly be meeting President Asif Ali Zardari late Saturday to decide on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh?s invitation to the Cricket World Cup semi-final clash between the two South Asian rivals.

Gilani flew back to Islamabad from Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, Saturday afternoon.

He will meet Zardari later in the day to make a decision on Singh?s invitation.

Singh on Friday invited Pakistani leaders to the Indo-Pak semi-final clash, a gesture that could play sweetener to their on-off diplomatic relationship.

Formal invitations have been sent for Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his wife for the eagerly-awaited match at Mohali in Punjab on Mar 30 which Singh will also be attending.

However, according to Pakistan government sources, only Gilani might turn up at the Mohali match.

Gilani?s close aide, accompanied him to Uzbekistan, told Dawn newspaper that a ?serious consideration? will be given to Singh?s invitation.

“We have asked for details and a serious consideration will be given to it,” the official said.

On Friday, Singh wrote in the invitation to Gilani: ?I propose to be at Mohali to watch the World Cup semi-final match between India and Pakistan to be held on 30th March. There is huge excitement….and we are all looking forward to a great game of cricket, that will be a victory for sport.?

?It gives me great pleasure to invite you and your gracious wife to visit Mohali and join me, my wife and the millions of fans from our two countries to watch the match,? he said.

The World Cup has been the first visit by the Pakistani team after the 2008 Mumbai attack when ties between the two nations suffered a huge setback in wake of the plot that left over 170 people dead which had largely been planned on the country?s soil.

In February this year the two sides announced the revival of the peace talks following a meeting between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan in Thimpu, Bhutan at a conference and the Pakistani Foreign Minister is expected to visit India in July.

The peace talks between the two countries over issues ranging from the disputed territory of Kahsmir, cross-border terrorism and water sharing, known as ?composite dialogue?, were snapped following the 2008 attack.

The diplomatic gesture from the Indian Prime Minister is being seen as a move that could add to a smoother return to the dialogue process.

The match itself is being seen as one of legendary proportions as the two long-standing rivals face-off in a knockout clash with the winner getting to play the finals. Needless to say tickets for the showdown have been sold out.

India has issued 5,000 visas to Pakistani cricket fans and reportedly will issue 1,500 more. Heavy security is in place after a man was arrested on Thursday for purportedly planning an attack during the World Cup.