Pak responsible for IPL decision: Congress

Rejecting Pakistan's allegations over non-selection of its players in the Indian Premier League, the Congress on Friday asked the neighbouring country to understand the "deeper import" of the decision.

"Merely by castigating IPL and saying that they are discriminatory will not do. It would be wiser if Pakistan looks at the deeper import of the decision which IPL has arrived at advertently or inadvertently," party spokesperson Manish Tewari said.

"The deeper point Pakistani establishment must understand is that they have not created conditions which could satisfy the people's opinion in India that Pakistan is serious about countering terrorism and bringing the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes to justice," he said.

The Congress leader also maintained that the non-selection of Pakistani players in IPL should not be seen from the prism of Indo-Pak relations or India's diplomacy as it is a private initiative and those who organise the events decide whom to take.

The Congress spokesperson said there is nothing more to explain to the issue as the minister of external affairs has already explained it.

The government had earlier said it had nothing to do with non-selection of Pakistani players in the IPL as it was a "commercial" event but asked it to introspect on reasons for the strain in bilateral ties.