The Indian cricket board has sought security clearance from the government for next year’s tour of Pakistan, its president said on Wednesday.

“We have asked for the government clearance and will decide once it comes,” Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar said.

“The paramount concern is security. Till the time we get the clearance there is no question (of confirming the tour).”

India are scheduled to tour Pakistan from January 13 to February 19, playing three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game.

However, there are player safety concerns following a spate of suicide bombings in Pakistan in the last few months.

Australia cancelled a Test tour of Pakistan this year and the International Cricket Council (ICC) postponed the Champions Trophy in September over security concerns. The ICC has re-scheduled the one-day tournament for September 24 to October 5 next year but said it would monitor India’s tour before confirming Pakistan as the venue. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), already worried about Test cricket due to reluctance of teams to travel, is concerned India may pull out on security grounds. Its chiefs have suggested swapping Pakistan’s 2010 tour of India or a neutral venue.