India, Pakistan discuss starting women's cricket series

From Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Jun 24 (PTI) India and Pakistan discussed
suggestions for a women's cricket series and setting up a
women's forum as part of talks between the Foreign Secretaries
of the two countries on the promotion of friendly exchanges.
The two-day talks, which ended on Friday, focussed on the
dragging Kashmir dispute, peace and security, including
confidence-building measures, and friendly exchanges.
"There was a suggestion for a women's cricket series,"
said an Indian official.
"There was also talk of creating a women's forum between
the two countries," the official said.
The suggestions were part of several proposals mooted by
both sides to promote friendly exchanges and people-to-people
contacts.
The two countries have had limited sports contacts since
the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which were blamed on the
Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Foreign cricket teams stopped touring Pakistan due to
security concerns after the Sri Lankan team was attacked by
terrorists in the eastern city of Lahore in March 2009.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani visited Mohali at the
invitation of his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in March
to watch the India-Pakistan semi-final of the cricket World
Cup.