Pakistan team to tour only on guarantees of players' safety

``Our first and foremost concern is the security and safety of our players,'' Information Minister Mushahid Hussain told AFP.

``The government will take the decision after getting firm assurances from India,'' Hussain added, in the first government reaction since Hindu militants vandalised a New Delhi pitch to disrupt the tour.

Supporters of Hindu nationalist leader Bal Thackeray raided the Ferozeshah Kotla ground on Wednesday night and dug up the wicket where the two teams are due to play their first Test in 12 years, on January 28.

Thackeray, known for his frequent anti-Pakistan tirades, mounted similar protests in 1991, 1993 and 1994.

Hussain said Pakistan wanted better relations with India but ``we are concerned about the rising fanaticism and fundamentalism in India.''

The minister described Wednesday's attack on the pitch as a ``replay'' of the 1991 incident when Pakistan had to call off the tour shortly before its start.

However, he added: ``We are watching the situation and waiting for the response from the Indian government to promote a better cricketing relationship.''

Reports in India Saturday said the government there had promised ``foolproof'' security. The top bureaucrat in the home ministry, secretary B.P. Singh, said a federal panel would be set up to coordinate security with police and other agencies of the states where the teams would play.

During the trip planned to start January 21 Pakistan are to play a two-Test series, the Asian Test championship opener against India, two side games and a triangular one-day series also involving Sri Lanka.

Arif Abbasi, former chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, on Saturday urged the authorities to call off the tour.

``The Indian prime minister had assured Pakistan its team will be given complete security but vandalism of the pitch clearly suggests the situation is not viable for a tour,'' he said.

``If militants dig up a pitch in the capital, right under the nose of the Indian government, where stands the player's safety?''

Abbasi also said Pakistan was not fully prepared to face India.

``We have lost series against Australia and Zimbabwe due to lack of planning by the board,'' he said. ``India is always a tough opposition in their country. A defeat in India will spark public reaction.''

He criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board, saying it had not yet received Pakistan's share of the profits from India after jointly sponsoring the World Cup.

``Our officials are making joy trips with their wives and are not demanding their seven million dollars from the Indian Board, which is their incompetence,'' Abbasi said.