LAHORE, Nov 19: Ijaz Butt, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), will meet Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday to brief him about the matters related to the board’s working including those concerning Indian team’s forthcoming tour to Pakistan.

Sources told Dawn that the chairman will meet the prime minister soon after attending the Constitution Committee meeting, which is going to be held in Islamabad on Thursday, under supervision of the Federal Law Minister Farooq H. Naek, to finalise a new constitution of the board.

Ijaz will request the prime minister to facilitate government’s assistance in arranging strict security for the India series, which is scheduled to be held in January-February.

Though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has, reportedly, said it is willing to undertake the tour, it requires a security clearance from the Indian government to send the national squad to Pakistan.

Last week, Indian junior hockey team’s tour to Pakistan was cancelled at the eleventh hour, because, according to a media report, neither the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) nor its Indian counterpart involved their governments for the security clearance.

On Wednesday, Satyabrata Pal, the Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan, met Ijaz at the Gaddafi Stadium and discussed with him India’s tour.

A top PCB official told Dawn the meeting, which lasted half an hour, was very successful.

Sources said the PCB chief apprised the HC of the importance of the tour.

According to sources, the Indian official said all steps would be taken to ensure the tour takes place successfully.