CM wants Karachi to be beautified for PSL final

Eight parking areas designated for the event in different locations of the city

KARACHI: Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed the Karachi administration to start beautifying the city to develop a festive atmosphere for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) final on March 25.

The CM issued the direction while presiding over a meeting on Friday to review arrangements for the PSL final. "This event will be followed by many other international events," Shah remarked.

The meeting was informed that eight parking areas were being developed for the event. The parking areas will be the National Coaching Centre for VVIP vehicles, Expo Centre for VIP vehicles, Gharib Nawaz Football Ground, Hakim Saeed Playground at University Road,  an open ground near Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Sunday bazaar ground opposite Baitul Mukarram Mosque, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Sports Complex and Karachi Development Authority Club along with China Ground on Kashmir Road for all other vehicles.



All spectators will park their vehicles at the aforementioned venues, which have a capacity for 33,000 vehicles. The parking areas will have the facilities of barriers, queue channels and walk-through gates. Separate arrangements will be made for females while closed-circuit television cameras, resting areas for drivers, public washrooms, tuck shops, medical camps and proper lighting will also be provided. The CM directed the administration to install big screens for drivers to watch the match in the parking areas.

There will be around 6,000 motorcycles in the parking areas, the meeting was informed. It was suggested that pillion riding be banned on the day. However, the CM rejected the suggestion, stating that the ban would deprive many youths of their right to celebrate the event.

"[Youths] are responsible enough. However, they should be taught the code of conduct through banners, wall posters and the media," the CM said.

According to the plan, buses will transport the spectators from the parking areas to the National Stadium, Karachi or vice versa. The buses will drop the cricket lovers to three disembarking points, which are Bahria University, Expo Centre and Rana Liaquat Ali Khan Govt Girls College. From these locations, the spectators will reach the stadium through shuttles.

"I want you [city administration] to facilitate people properly. This is their event. Let them enjoy it and own it," Shah said. He also directed the administration to get services of 200 scouts from Sindh Boys Scouts Association.



The services to be made available at the stadium include mobile hospitals, ambulances, water bowsers, sanitation staff and vehicles, regulated food and central control room.

A plan has also been made to handle the crowd after the match. The CM directed the administration to arrange a 30 to 50 minute musical show after the match so that a chaotic situation could be avoided.

"I want you [city administration] to finalise all the arrangements by March 15 and we will meet here next Friday [March 16] to review final arrangements," Shah said.

The CM also urged the media to play a constructive role to improve Karachi's image so that similar events could be held in the city in the future.

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal, Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain, Sindh Rangers Director-General Major General Mohammad Saeed, Sindh Inspector-General of Police Allah Dino Khowaja, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Home Secretary Qazi Shahid Parvez, Karachi AIG, Counter-Terrorism Department AIG, Special Branch AIG, secretaries of various departments and others.