Islamabad: Pakistan will participate in the inaugural Afro Asian Games in India despite New Delhi's refusal to send its contingent for the South Asian Federation Games starting here later this month.

Head of the SAF Games Organising Committee (SGOC), Lt Gen Syed Arif Hasan, told journalists on Wednesday that if one country did a wrong, it was not necessary for the other to do the same.

India refused to take part in the March 29-April 7 SAF Games in Islamabad citing security threats to its athletes from terrorist organisations. Arif said the SGOC had not yet been officially informed of New Delhi's decision, but added the Indians would be welcomed even at the eleventh hour.

"The POA (Pakistan Olympic Association) recently spoke to the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Suresh Kalmadi who is said to be trying his level best to persuade his government to take part in the Games," Hasan was quoted as saying by 'Dawn' daily.

On Tuesday, Pakistan decided to go ahead with the regional event even without India's participation. Pakistan had to postpone the SAF Games twice, first after the September 11 terror attacks and then again because of heightened tension with India after the Parliament attack.

This edition was originally scheduled to take place in October 2001.

PTI