PSL security under the microscope

CM says the matches must be concluded safely

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over a high-level meeting to review the overall law and order situation in the province and security for PSL matches.

The meeting strongly condemned the Raiwind blast and paid tribute to the great sacrifices of police officials and other martyrs. It also prayed for the departed souls. An interim report of the Raiwind blast was also presented in the meeting and security of PSL matches to be held in Lahore, along with other matters, came under review.

Shehbaz Sharif issued special instructions with regard to security arrangements and said the safe hosting of PSL matches must be ensured. “The enthusiasts will get a chance to witness the best cricket in Lahore. International cricket is being revived in Pakistan,” he added. He said that foolproof security should be provided to the players. He stated that due to the efforts and sacrifices of the Pakistan Army, police and other law enforcement agencies, incidents of terrorism have significantly decreased. He said that Raiwind blast was a brutal conspiracy to destabilise the country.



The immortal sacrifices of police officials and other martyrs, who have lost their lives in this attack, will not go to waste and all of our sympathies are with the bereaved families. He said that foolproof security arrangements for PSL-3 matches will be ensured at every cost and all the line departments will have to make the best arrangements with their collective efforts and by maintaining close liaison with each other. “The enemy does not want the nation to rejoice, but we have to thwart the nefarious designs with our collective efforts and vision.”

The chief minister ordered that security and other arrangements of matches should be better than the PSL final held in Lahore last year. “The best arrangements should be ensured inside as well as outside the stadium and the cabinet committee should personally supervise every step made in this regard.”



He said that holding of the matches will be ensured in a peaceful and cordial atmosphere and for that purpose, all the line departments will have to efficiently work as it is a matter of national pride and honour.

He stated that the best arrangements for cleanliness should also be made inside and outside the stadium, while continued supply of electricity should be ensured. Shehbaz continued that the match route, along with the whole city of Lahore, should be illuminated through lights. “In any emergency, one has always to perform extraordinary steps and difficult destinations become easy with sincere commitment,” the CM said. He ordered that security arrangements should be further improved in Lahore and other cities of the province. The meeting decided to ply a special shuttle bus service to carry cricket fans to the stadium free of cost.

Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Ayub Gadhi, Bilal Yasin, Jehangir Khanzada, Kh. Imran Nazir, Chairman PCB Najam Sethi, Chief Secretary, ACS (Home), IG Police, secretaries of the departments concerned and other officials attended the meeting.

Earlier on Thursday, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah presided over a cabinet committee meeting on law and order to review the security situation of the country. The meeting decided on increasing IBO’s in the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2018.