Stadium’s security subject to Pak-England match

Police say highways will be reopened to traffic if match postponed

ISLAMABAD:

The Rawalpindi Police have made the security arrangements for the cricket stadium conditional to the holding of the Test match between Pakistan and England cricket teams. In case of postponement of the match, Double Road and Food Street will remain open for traffic as usual.

According to police sources, there have been reports that a few members of the visiting team have become unwell, which might have an impact on how the Test match is played. However, neither the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) nor any other authority officially announced the cancellation of the Test match to be played between the Pakistan and England cricket teams in the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The sources said that the Rawalpindi Police will complete all the security arrangements by today [Thursday] morning. However, the public highways will be opened and all barricades will be removed if the match is called off, they added. Additionally, more police officers from other districts have arrived in Rawalpindi.

3,000 police officers will be on duty to provide security for the test match, while 432 traffic officers will be stationed owing to the highway diversions. It has been agreed to shut off the food street that is close to the Pindi stadium, Shahbaz Sharif Sports Complex, and Allama Iqbal Park to maintain security.

According to the sources, the Rawalpindi police would put all security measures into place at 6 am today [Thursday]. All adjacent buildings as well as the double road will be sealed. Neither the federal government nor the PCB has made an official announcement, but if the match is postponed, all security precautions will be lifted and alternate roads, including the double road, would be made accessible to the public. Food Street, Allama Iqbal Park, and other buildings will all be open as normal.