Pakistan protest at Australia's Champions Trophy pull-out

KARACHI, July 25 (Reuters) Pakistan have lodged a protest with the International Hockey Federation over the withdrawal of Olympic champions Australia from the Champions Trophy tournament in Lahore in December because of security concerns.

''We are disappointed with the Australians' decision to pull out from the tournament. We have made our protest. There is nothing more we can do at the FIH level,'' Khalid Mehmood, secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation said.

Mehmood mentioned Britain as possible replacements but added: ''At the moment the FIH has told us they are also reluctant about playing in Pakistan. So a final decision on the replacement team is still awaited.'' Media reports have said that Spain might also pull out but Mehmood said as yet they had no indication of this.

Islamic militants have stepped up attacks in Pakistan in the last few days after the government stormed the Red mosque in Islamabad to flush out suspected militants.

REUTERS BJR HT1822