"We have already talked to the Indian cricket authorities and now after making a few minor adjustments to the proposed programme we hope it will be a smooth and a landmark tour," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) operations director Saleem Altaf told AFP.

The changes were because of security arrangements for Ashura, when Shiites mark the 10th day of the Muslim calendar's first month by parading the streets, beating their chests and whipping their backs with flails.

Police in the northwestern border city of Peshawar had been reluctant to stage the match on February 8, the eve of the festival, which marks the death of a Shiite saint.

The match in Peshawar was brought forward to February 6 and the second one-dayer, in Rawalpindi, will now not be until February 11.

"There were a few problems in holding the match due to Ashura, but we have finally pushed forward the second one-day international and PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan will convey this as he has already left for India," said Altaf.

The Indian team are due to arrive in Pakistan on January 5 to play three Tests and five one-day internationals on their second tour of Pakistan in two years.

Bilateral cricket resumed after a four-year layoff in 2004 amid improving relations between the South Asian nuclear rivals, who had come close to a fourth war in 2002.

Pakistan paid a return trip to India early last year.

India will play Tests in Lahore, Faisalabad and Karachi, while Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan and Karachi will host one-day internationals.

On their last tour the tourists refused to play a Test in Karachi because of security fears, but they changed their stance this time after an Indian security delegation toured the city last week.

Senior Pakistani interior ministry official Syed Kamal Shah said any fears over Karachi were baseless.

"We have assured foolproof security including air surveillance in Karachi in general and in other cities and matches will be held in Karachi as per schedule," said Shah, a former police chief in Karachi.

"The Indian delegation was against holding a Test in Karachi but on assurances from the Pakistani government and PCB chairman, they agreed to play there," sources told PTI. "The delegation was told that high-class security would be provided to the Indian team and after checking with all the security apparatus with the Karachi administration, they agreed."

REVISED ITINERARY
5-Jan	India arrive in Lahore
Jan 7-9	3-dayer	Lahore
Jan 13-17	1st Test	Lahore
Jan 21-25	2nd Test	Faisalabad
Jan 29-Feb 2	3rd Test	Karachi
6-Feb	1st ODI	Peshawar
11-Feb	2nd ODI	Rawalpindi
13-Feb	3rd ODI	Lahore
16-Feb	4th ODI	Multan
19-Feb	5th ODI	Karachi