KARACHI, Sept 5: Pakistan on Sunday said extensive security arrangements would be in place for the six-nation Champions Trophy to be held in Lahore in December after Olympic champions Australia said they were considering pulling out of the event.

"There are no security problems in Pakistan and, through the International Hockey Federation, we have assured a foolproof security arrangement for all the foreign teams," Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Brig Musarat Ullah Khan said.

Australia hockey chief executive Lyndon Adamson said on Friday he had asked tournament organisers in Pakistan for details of their security plans after some team members expressed reservations about the Dec 4-12 tournament.

The Australian government recently renewed its warning to nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Pakistan for security reasons. New Zealand, who finished in the top six for the first time in the Athens Olympics, also indicated they may withdraw from the competition over fears of a possible terrorist attack.

"I think it's a negative advice from the Australian government," Khan said of the travel advisory. "Australian players have played squash in Pakistan recently and their polo team is already here so why there are fears for hockey players," he asked, adding that he was confident Australian players would compete.

Pakistan has hosted the Champions Trophy, which it initiated in 1978, ten times. It was originally scheduled to stage the 2001 edition which was relocated to the Netherlands in the wake of 9/11 attacks on the US and the subsequent war in neighbouring Afghanistan.

If Australia pulls out of the hockey competition, India will get a chance to play as they finished seventh in the Athens Olympics. -AFP