18 January 2004	Sunday	25 Ziqa'ad 1424

KARACHI, Jan 17: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reiterated on Saturday that the government would provide India with the tightest possible security during their ground-breaking first tour of this country after more than 14 years.

"We are aware of the concerns expressed by some of the Indian players," the PCB spokesman told Dawn while reacting to the news that appeared in an Indian magazine in which it was claimed that Saurav Ganguly's men had sought assurances from the Indian cricket board about personal safety.

"We are in regular contact with Mr Jagmohan Dalmiya (BCCI president) over this delicate issue and other related matters," he said.

When asked what was the repercussion of the bomb blast in the city the other day, the spokesman replied: "It is unfortunate that it happened at a time when we are in the process of finalizing details of the tour with the BCCI. But I am sure everything will be okay and trouble free and Karachi will host matches against India as planned."

The official also pointed out that the PCB had been promised full support by the government to ensure a smooth series. "The PCB chairman in his recent meetings with both President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali in Islamabad had been briefed in detail about the security plans.

"The Indians should not worry over minor incidents because the Pakistan government regards this tour as very important to further enhance its bilateral ties with India. Therefore, we are determined to provide presidential kind of security to the team once they land in Pakistan," he emphasized.

Pakistan hosted three Test teams and 13 junior sides in the last six months although South Africa and New Zealand refused to play in Karachi and Peshawar after citing fears over security.

Last October, South Africa were scheduled to play two games (a one-day and a Test) in Karachi and another Test in Peshawar after a delegation from the United Cricket Board - comprising Ian Smith (commercial director), Ben van Deventer (police services) and Bob Nicholas (security director) - visited these cities and gave its approval for the tour to go ahead.

"We intend to ensure that the Indians play here in a peaceful atmosphere. At the same time, all of us are hoping that nothing untoward interrupt our plans for the most crucial tour in many, many years. After all, it's the prestige of Pakistan that is at stake," he concluded.