Pakistan PM to ask Indian premier to give tour go-ahead

KARACHI (Reuters) - Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is to personally request his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh allow the Indian team to tour Pakistan early next year.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister's secretariat on Thursday said that Gillani had also assured the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that the government would ensure proper security arrangements for the series.

Doubts have emerged over January's tour after the Indian government stopped a junior hockey team from touring Pakistan at the last moment earlier this month over security concerns.

"Because the game of cricket is loved by the people of both India and Pakistan, the Prime Minister has said he would personally request the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh to allow the Indian cricket team to visit Pakistan," the statement read.

"The Prime Minister said this is a very high profile tour and the Indian government would be provided assurance regarding their security concerns that the tour would take place as per the itinerary provided to the Indian cricket board."

Pakistan cricket has suffered heavily this year due to the refusal of teams and players to tour following a series of suicide bombings.

In August, the International Cricket Council (ICC) postponed the Champions Trophy after facing a possible boycott from five of the eight teams in the field.

The Indian team is scheduled to play three test matches, five one day international matches and one Twenty20 match in Pakistan.