Indian government 'to issue 10,000 visas' to Pakistanis

India plans to issue around 10,000 visas to Pakistan cricket fans ahad of the forthcoming Test and one-day series. The move comes a few days after the historic decision to start a bus service linking the disputed province of Kashmir, which is divided between India and Pakistan.

An official at the Indian foreigh ministry confirmed this today, according to a report from the Reuters news agency. "We are expecting a huge demand for visas, and plan to have special visa camps in Pakistan to issue up to 10,000," said the official. "We might even allow Pakistanis to obtain special permits and drive in their cars into India to watch the match in Mohali." Mohali, in northern India, is only about a three-hour drive from Wagah, the only border crossing in the Punjab.

India's decision mirrors Pakistan's successful initiative last year which permitted around 8000 Indians to cross the border to witness the first Test series between the two countries in Pakistan for 14 years.