Sania-Shoaib marriage will help improve Indo-Pak ties : PCB boss Butt

Lahore, Apr.1 (ANI): Even though Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has clarified that she is not making any political statement by marrying cricketer Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt has expressed hope that the wedding would help improve ties between India and Pakistan.

"While the decision by Shoaib and Sania is a personal one to get married, but I am sure it will have far-reaching effects and help improve relations between the two countries," The News quoted Butt, as saying.

"I am sure the marriage will help regulate not only sporting relations but also help the people to come closer to each other and improve government to government level relations," he added.

Several Pakistani sports personalities, including Imran Khan and Inzamam-ul-Haq, have wished the sports couple 'good luck' for a happy married life.

The two famous sports personalities would be getting married at a time when ties between India and Pakistan are not so cordial following the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Earlier, former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had also hailed the Sania- Shoaib decision to tie the knot , and said that political issues could also be resolved through a similar 'positive approach'. (ANI)