Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Friday said that the limited over matches between Pakistan and Australia have been shifted from Rawalpindi to Lahore, as the opposition and government are all set to host a public power show in the federal capital.

“The decision has been made that all four matches scheduled in Rawalpindi will now take place in Lahore,” he said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.

The first test of the three-match Benaud-Qadir trophy series between the two sides was held in Rawalpindi from March 4 to 8 while the second one took place in Karachi from March 12 to 16. Both the matches ended in a draw, with the second test bringing laurels for skipper Babar Azam. Australia, who are on their first tour to Pakistan in 24 years reached Lahore from Karachi on Friday for the final test of the series.

They were also scheduled to play three One Day Internationals on March 29, 31 and April 2, and a Twenty20 International on April 5, all of them in Rawalpindi.

Rashid said: “We have decided today that the respectable Australian team… we have given them presidential security and presidential security has certain requirements. And we have shifted the matches to Lahore because we are holding political activities [in the twin cities] and we don’t want to create any hurdles."

As many as 3,000 police officials have been designated to provide security during different matches, he said, adding that the government has secured the officials for special political events.