Hong Kong were due to face Pakistan in an Asia/Oceania Zone Group II second round tie at the Pakistan Sports Complex from April 7 to 9.

However, the team has decided not to travel to the country in the wake of ongoing security fears.

The move comes despite Pakistan "successfully hosting" a match against Iran last month - the first David Cup tie to be held in the nation in 12 years.

In a statement, the ITF admitted their disappointment at Hong Kong refusing to play the game on Pakistan soil and that they "regretted" the decision.

"The ITF regrets and respectfully disagrees with the decision of Hong Kong, China to default its upcoming Davis Cup tie against Pakistan,” said the ITF in a statement. 

“The ITF takes the security of all players, team personnel, officials and spectators very seriously. 

"We are entirely confident in the security risk management procedures we have in place.”

Their withdrawal, which means Pakistan progress to round three, may also spark further sanctions from the ITF.

Hong Kong's case will now go to the Internal Adjudication Panel, who will assess whether a breach of the rules has been committed.

Pakistan will face the winner of the tie between Philippines and Thailand in the next round.

This tie is due to be held Pakistan, meaning the opposition could make the same decision as Hong Kong.

International sporting events have rarely been held in Pakistan, which has fought a homegrown Islamist insurgency for years, with foreign teams citing security fears as a reason not to play there.

A 2009 militant attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in Lahore is one example of why fears arose.

The cricketers were on their way to play the third day of the second test when gunmen attacked their vehicle.

Six members of the Sri Lanka national cricket team were injured while six Pakistani policemen and two civilians were killed.

Pakistan had been due to co-host the 2011 Cricket World Cup with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, but ultimately lost the rights to stage matches at the tournament.

Security concerns have led to the Pakistani side not playing a home match in six years, with them instead hosting games in all formats of cricket in the United Arab Emirates.