Official reviews arrangements for HBL PSL matches

Police says 160 cameras would be installed in and outside stadium to monitor security

RAWALPINDI:

Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman reviewed the arrangements finalised for Pakistan Super-League (PSL) matches to be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta briefed the chief secretary at a meeting held on Monday about the arrangements including security.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has a seating capacity of 17,000 spectators, he said, adding that 14 matches of PSL would be played in Rawalpindi, including five-day and nine evenings. The duration of the day matches would be 2pm to 5pm while evening matches would be between 7pm and 10 pm, he added.

Three different routes would be used to reach the stadium, he said, adding that separate checking points would be set up for the cricket fans. Special shuttle service would also be provided to PSL fans. The district administration would provide the shuttle service for which the Punjab government had released Rs80 million, he said. Private and public ambulance services would be available near the stadium, said the commissioner. A helipad would also be built at Arid University, he added.

A special 50-bed emergency ward would also be established in the hall of the Urology Hospital. All possible administrative steps had been taken to ensure security of the teams and facilitate the cricket fans, said the commissioner.

Various places had been designated for parking while motorcycle parking would be near the stadium, he informed the meeting. About 160 cameras would be installed inside and outside the stadium to monitor all the security arrangements, he said, adding that women and children should be given a special place in the shuttle service. The chief secretary also directed the authorities concerned to purchase more cameras.

Rawalpindi City Police Officer while giving a briefing about the security arrangements said that 4,500 cops would be deployed.

A special survey of the buildings in the surrounding areas of the stadium had also been conducted, he said.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2023.