'Visas of Pakistani spectators will be strictly monitored'

Visas of Pakistani spectators visiting India to witness the Indo-Pak cricket series later this year will be strictly monitored, highly-placed government sources said tonight.

The decision to thoroughly scan the visa applications has been taken as several Pakistanis did not return home last time after coming to India to watch the cricket matches during the 2007 series.

"There will be strict monitoring on visas to Pakistani spectators as several Pakistanis did not return last time after coming to India," a top government source said.

The Indian cricket board yesterday agreed to play three ODIs and two T20 matches with Pakistan in December and January for the first time after the Mumbai attacks in 2008.

"We are talking to Pakistan on issues like trade, fishermen, visa relaxation etc, so playing cricket is nothing drastic. Terror is a different issue and there is no compromise on that," the source said.