Indian delegation assured of complete security

The Sindh government today assured the Indian delegation of fool-proof security when the Indian cricket team arrives here next month to play the third and final cricket Test at the National Stadium in Karachi.

The five-member delegation, headed by Yashowardhan Azad, called on Brigadier Ghulam Mohammad Mohtaram, the Home Secretary, in the Sindh Secretariat this afternoon during which the visiting team was given an extensive briefing on the security plans for the Indian cricket team during their stay in Karachi.

"The only concern the Indian delegation had was of remote control devices. But we have assured them that we are equipped and capable of countering these situations professionally," Brigadier Mohtaram told PTI. "It has been a very productive meeting and the visitors have returned happy and satisfied," he added.

The Home Secretary said the Indian delegation had not made any special demands, although the cricket team would be staying in Karachi for nearly a week as compared to less than 40 hours when they toured Karachi last year for a one-dayer.

"They have not made any special requests. We have briefed them on security in hotel, movement to and from stadium and other issues. It was a good session in which we have also informed that there is minimum threat in Karachi in general and to the visiting sports teams in particular," the Brigadier said.

The inspection panel will travel to Peshawar on Tuesday (the panel members were scheduled to visit Karachi centre on Monday) before proceeding to Islamabad and returning to Lahore for final discussions with Pakistan Interior Ministry officials. The PCB said security arrangements for the Indian team had already been finalised with the cooperation of the government. "They wanted to make an inspection visit and we saw no problem with that but we are keen to have the itinerary officially released by next week," Abbas Zaidi, PCB Director, said.