Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Friday said that the limited over matches between Pakistan and Australia have been shifted to Lahore from Rawalpindi.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, he said, "The decision has been made that all four matches scheduled in Rawalpindi will now take place in Lahore."

The first Test match 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. Australia — who are on their first tour to Pakistan in 24 years — are scheduled to play the third Test in Lahore from March 21 to 25.

They were also scheduled to play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) on March 29, 31 and April 2, and a Twenty20 International (T20I) on April 5, all of them in Rawalpindi.

There have been no serious threats directed at the team since their arrival last month, but several political rallies — both for and against the government — are planned in the nearby capital in the coming days and weeks.

Hundreds of thousands of people can descend on the capital during political rallies, choking traffic and causing security problems for officials.

Islamabad, where both teams were due to stay, is just a short drive away from the vastly bigger garrison city of Rawalpindi.

"The matches are being shifted to Lahore because of political activities in the capital," Rashid said.

An official with the Australian team said they had no issues with the change.

"In many ways, it suits both teams as it means one less movement for players and officials," he said.