New Delhi, November 6
Controversial Pakistan Minister Sheikh Rashid, accused of harbouring Kashmiri militants more than a decade ago, has been denied visa to travel to India for the ongoing cricket series.

Rashid, the Railways Minister, had requested for the visa, saying he had been invited as a guest by the Pakistan Cricket Board. But the Indian government refused to entertain the request in view of his controversial background.

Rashid, who claims to be of Kashmiri origin, had harboured militants in early 1990s, a fact disclosed by Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik two years ago. Malik said that Rashid had hosted scores of Kashmiri militants at his residence.

New Delhi refused the visa as it wanted to avoid a situation where questions could have been raised over allowing a person, who has directly helped militancy, to come here. — PTI