Pakistan govt to extend all assistance to Malik

Pakistan on Monday said it will extend all assistance to former cricket captain Shoaib Malik, who has been slapped with cheating and harassment charges in India days ahead of his planned wedding to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.

The charges were filed by Ayesha Siddiqui, who claims to be Malik's wife.

The Pakistan government said it was in touch with Indian authorities in connection with the police complaint filed against Malik by the Indian woman.

Malik is currently in Hyderabad and his passport has been seized after an FIR was registered against him.

Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told the media that the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi was in contact with Indian authorities and had asked them to share information on the First Information Report filed against Malik in Hyderabad.

Pakistani authorities have "to wait till all the details of the FIR are with us," Basit said.

The Indian government had not yet shared details of the FIR with Pakistani officials, he said.

"We will give Shoaib Malik all the assistance he requires. We will proceed in the best interests of Shoaib Malik," Basit said.

The case was filed against Malik 10 days before his planned wedding with Mirza. Malik recently announced that he would wed Sania on April 15.

Malik recently travelled to Hyderabad after Ayesha reiterated her claims that she had married the cricketer in 2002.