Overview

• On July 21, PHF chief Tariq Bugti informed the FIH and AHF that Pakistan will not dispatch its national team to Rajgir without explicit safety guarantees.
• The Asia Cup serves as a direct qualifier for the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, raising the stakes for Pakistan’s participation.
• Pakistan’s players have expressed reluctance to travel in light of heightened bilateral tensions and social media threats.
• Bugti said the responsibility to ensure safe passage and on-campus security falls on the FIH and AHF under Olympic Charter obligations.
• Indian ministries granted visas on July 1 under Olympic Charter rules, yet Pakistan did not apply and has now formally declined participation.