Pak govt to work with PCB to make CT a success: PM

Karachi, Jul 3 (UNI) Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani has assured the participating teams in the Champions Trophy to go ahead with the tournament without any fear of violence and said the government will provide its support to the PCB to make the biennial event a grand success.

Gillani, who turned up as the chief guest for Pakistan's Asia Cup Super Four game against India yesterady here, said, ''We are aware that some of the participating team (of the Champions Trophy) have some concerns.'' ''We are working on further improving the security blanket in a bid to make those teams feel better,'' he added.

Earlier the PM's advisor on Interior Rehman Malik assured that adequate measures will be taken in the coming weeks to subside fears of teams which will compete in the ICC Champions Trophy.

Malik said the security will be beefed up for all the teams and would be made water tight through a series of concrete measures.

Many players from Australia, New Zealand and England have expressed concerns over the security situation in Pakistan and have hinted that they make boycott the Champions Trophy.

Malik pointed out that the ongoing Asia Cup is just an example how the board has worked out on the security arrangements which will be even stringent for the Champions Trophy in September.

He informed that during his recent visit to Pakistan, ICC president Ray Mali was briefed about the security cover for the Champions Trophy.

''He (Mali) was impressed with the cort of arrangements to be made by us for the security of the Champions Trophy participants,'' Malik said.

The support form the BCCI has further improved their chances to host the Champions Trophy for which the ICC recently announced South Africa as an alternative venue.

UNI XC RAR CS ND1100