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Gilani to attend World Cup semi-final at Mohali
Pakistan Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday accepted his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh's invitation to watch the World Cup semi-final between the cricket teams of the two countries at Mohali on March 30.
The decision was taken following a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Mr. Gilani, which began at midnight Saturday night and lasted for about two hours.
At the meeting, it was decided that "in response to the Indian Prime Minister's invitation, the Prime Minister of Pakistan will visit India to witness the semi-final (of World Cup) between the two cricket teams," Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.
Gilani to attend World Cup semi-final at Mohali
He said that Pakistan had already welcomed Dr Singh's invitation to Zardari and Gilani to watch the match.
The News daily, meanwhile, quoted its sources as saying that Mr. Gilani would informally meet Dr. Singh during the match and a formal meeting would be held after the game.
Gilani to attend World Cup semi-final at Mohali
Separately, The Nation newspaper quoted its sources as saying that Gilani would pay a two-day visit to India for a fresh round of "cricket diplomacy". It said that Gilani's decision to accept Singh's invitation has been conveyed to New Delhi through diplomatic channels.
Dr Singh on Friday invited both Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari to watch the semi-final to be played at Mohali on March 30.
Gilani to attend World Cup semi-final at Mohali
In identical letters to President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani, he said he proposed to watch the Indo-Pak World Cup semi-final. "It gives me a great pleasure' to invite them to watch the match, Dr Singh wrote.
"There is huge excitement over the match and we are all looking forward to a great game of cricket that will be a victory for the sport," wrote the PM.
"It gives me great pleasure to invite you to visit Mohali and join me and millions of fans from our two countries to watch the match," he said in the letters to both the leaders.