World XI matches: International cricketers provided maximum security

Bomb disposal squad to inspect stadium 4 hours before match starts and over 2,000 personnel will be outside stadium.

KARACHI:

More than five thousand law enforcers have been assigned to provide security to the international players who will play in the World XI exhibition matches in Karachi.

The matches, which are set to begin today, will feature foreign cricketers in Pakistan for the first time after the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team four years ago in Lahore.

The security has been divided into three parts - District south police will stand guard outside the hotels where the cricketers will stay, special commandos will escort them to the stadium and police commandos will be deployed inside the stadium during matches and practice sessions. District east police will provide security outside the stadium.

Police and Rangers will be deployed on the rooftops of buildings around the stadium while over 2,000 personnel will be outside the stadium.

According to district east DIG Shahid Hayat, the bomb disposal squad will inspect the stadium four hours before the match starts.

Traffic police DIG Khurram Gulzar said that the Karsaz Road and Ibrahim Rahmatullah Road will be open for small vehicles while other vehicles will use Rashid Minhas and Dalmia Roads.

He said that two SPs, five DSPs and 200 traffic police personnel have been assigned to maintain the traffic situation.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20^th, 2012.