"I think the series against England is important for our safe image because England is the first side other than the sub-continental (South Asian) sides to play in Pakistan for five years," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan told AFP.

England was the last non-South Asian side to play in the troubled cities of Karachi and Peshawar in 2000 before the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States sparked security fears in and around Pakistan.

The so-called "9-11" attacks killed about 3,000 people and were claimed by Al-Qaeda.

Hundreds of insurgents with suspected links to Al-Qaeda sneaked into Pakistan across the porous border from Afghanistan after US-led forces helped oust the hardline Taliban regime there in late 2001.

But Pakistan says it has so far rounded up about 700 Al-Qaeda suspects, including alleged top operatives, both in army searches of lawless tribal border areas and other operations in major cities.

"Tension was at the peak after 9-11 because no team was ready to tour Pakistan," said Khan, a former foreign office secretary and High Commissioner (ambassador) to India and the United Kingdom.

Australia and the West Indies refused to tour Pakistan, citing players' safety concerns and the series were played on neutral venues in 2002.

New Zealand, who postponed their tour of Pakistan a week after the 9-11 incidents, had to cut short their revised series after a bomb blast outside their team hotel in Karachi killed 14 people in May 2002.

That followed South Africa and India's refusal to play a five-day Test in Karachi where bomb blasts and ethnic violence has killed scores of people in the last five years.

England, too, refused to play a Test in Karachi over security fears and agreed to play only one limited-overs international in the southern port city on the current tour.

"England had and still have security concerns but I think that, after providing them security assurances and taking good care of them, we hope our image will improve as a safe country," said Khan, who took over as cricket chief in December 2003.

Khan said India's tour of Pakistan last year was the first step in improving Pakistan's image.

"I remember that the wives of Indian stars Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid did say that they would not like their hubbies to tour Pakistan over security fears," said Khan.

Khan's Board not only hosted India without any problems but earned a record 22 million dollars from the series, India's first in Pakistan for 14 years.

"Now England will play a one-day match in Karachi and we are sure India will play a Test in Karachi," said Khan, whose Board has proposed India play one of three Tests in Karachi next year.

Khan said Pakistan's team can also improve its Test image with the series against England.

"England is on a roll after their Ashes win and if Pakistan beat them they too can get a place among the top teams," said Khan.

"Let the best team wins and people enjoy the intense competition in the series."

Pakistan and England meet in the first of three Tests at Multan, starting from Saturday.

The Tests will be followed by a five-match one-day series.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)