Special forces protect Proteas
2007-09-26 22:11
Karachi - Members of Pakistan's special forces, armed with AK-47's, escorted Graeme Smith's South African cricket team from the Jinnah International airport to their luxury hotel after their arrival here on Wednesday.
Fears over the team's safety because of political unrest have resulted in the military government pledging the same level of protection for the Proteas that heads of state receive here.
Local police chiefs said more than 100 members of the police force and soldiers had been at the airport when the South Africans arrived. This included police, the special-forces unit and the army's special task force.
The first of two Test matches between Pakistan and South Africa is scheduled to begin here on Monday.
Smith thanked the Pakistan authorities on Wednesday, telling more than 50 media representatives, "We feel very safe. It will allow us to concentrate on the cricket."
Goolam Rajah, logistics manager of the Proteas, also expressed his satisfaction with the arrangements.
Safety situation has deteriorated
The team bus was escorted by a convoy of armed vehicles. The only incident was when a motorcyclist fell as he tried to get out of the way.
Locals say the safety situation here has deteriorated during the past few months, with Pres Pervaiz Musharaf's government being under threat from both sides of the political scene.
Presidential elections are due to be held during the Proteas' tour, which also includes five one-day internationals.
South Africa cut short a tour of Sri Lanka last year after a bomb had exploded near the team's hotel in Colombo.
The Pakistan authorities want to prevent something similar happening here because if the South Africans cannot complete their tour, it will be hard for Pakistan to convince countries such as England and Australia to send their teams here.
Both England and Australia have soldiers in Afghanistan and their players may face more of a threat than the Proteas do.
New Zealand cut short a tour of Pakistan in 2002 after a bomb had exploded outside the team's hotel in Karachi.