HYDERABAD: While it was not sure if Pakistani delegates would arrive in Hyderabad along with delegates from other 149 countries to participate in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES)-2017, senior officials of the state government have confirmed their participation. Express also independently received confirmation from some participants from Pakistan regarding this.
Dr Asher Hasan, founder of doctHERs, a digital healthcare platform for connecting women doctors excluded from workforce with patients, and one of the participants from Pakistan, told Express, “The visa is done and was facilitated by the US State Dept and the Indian High Commission.” Dr Hasan had earlier visited Hyderabad for a presentation at the Khemka Forum for Social Entrepreneurship at Indian School of Business and had delivered TED talk at Infosys campus in Mysore.
Sadia Bashir, another Pakistani delegate, who would be participating at GES and also the Founder and CEO of PixelArt Games Academy, Islamabad, told Express, “I have already received my visa, flights and hotel bookings. Thanks to the US State Department, GES team, US Embassy and Indian High Commission in Islamabad for being highly supportive.” Bashir also said, “Both my grandparents had migrated from India. So I am actually very excited for the visit.”
Participation by Pakistani delegates comes as a positive move especially after the recent incidents of friction between India and Pakistan over various issues. It may be recalled that in September visa was denied to a delegation of 25 academicians from Pakistan, who wanted to participate in the sixth Indian Psychology Science Congress that was organised by Punjab University.
No figure has been provided by senior officials as to how many Pakistani delegates will be visiting Hyderabad. A mail sent on Monday to the official email ID of the GES media team asking for details regarding the same has not received response till Tuesday evening. One reason why Telangana government officials are not forthcoming on Pakistani participation is not to invite the attention of some fringe elements and groups which will find it an issue to create a ruckus and cause security problems.
Officials review security
In connection with the inauguration of Hyderabad Metro Rail on November 28, by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the intelligence officials and Special Protection Group personnel reviewed the security conditions at Miyapur metro rail station on Tuesday
Senior police officers including Hyderabad police commissioner V V Srinivas Rao, Cyberabad police commissioner Sandeep Shandilya and other officials reviewed the security situation at Hyderabad International Convention Center, Westin Hotel, Falaknuma Palace.
The SPG also travelled in metro rail from Miyapur to SR Nagar and conducted checks.
Meanwhile, the Cyberabad police on Monday night conducted random checks in the lodges and hotel in Gachibowli vicinity to ensure that no anti-social elements take shelter.
Troubles in past
In January visa was rejected for a two-member US-based music band Krewella, to participate in a music festival in Pune. The musicians had pointed out their ‘Pakistani heritage’ as a reason for visa rejection in a post on social media