Army Chief, CM Punjab assure full security for PSL final in Lahore

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif telephoned the Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa Wednesday and spoke about security arrangements for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final scheduled to take place at Lahores Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, March 5.

The Army Chief asked Shahbaz Sharif to inform him of the security equipment required for the match.

According to an INP report, the COAS said the Army and intelligence agencies will extend full support to everyone concerned for the successful holding of the PSL final as scheduled.

In order to review security arrangements for PSL final in Lahore, a meeting of the cabinet committee on law and order was held on Wednesday which was presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif.

While addressing the meeting, Shahbaz said that PSL final will be a mega event of Lahore and we need to work round-the-clock to make it successful by ensuring safe and peaceful environment for final match through foolproof security arrangements.

He said that holding PSL final in Lahore is an honour for all of us and we all need to play our part and make the standard arrangements in order to make this event successful with collective efforts.

"We have full support and consultation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa for this," Shahbaz added.

He said that such emergency situations always demand extraordinary initiatives and the way you all are working to make this event successful gives us a hope that we will do it perfectly. He directed the departments and authorities concerned to perform their duties efficiently by keeping close collaboration with each other and ensure marvellous arrangements in every manner.

He directed the provisional cabinet committee on law and order to review all the arrangements regularly and vowed to evaluate them himself regularly. He directed to arrange alternative traffic routes for public to spare them from any inconvenience. Also free bus shuttle services will be provided for the spectators to take them to the stadium.

Sharif directed to take the best cleanliness measures in and outside the stadium and ensure uninterrupted power supply on entry and exit points. He said there shouldnt be any complaint of overcharging of tickets from the spectators. It was decided in the meeting that extra security measures should be taken for the security of mosques, churches, Imambargahs and other worship places.

Shahbaz also directed to arrange foolproof security in Lahore as well as other cities of province and take every step to shatter the bad intensions of enemies who want to destabilize Pakistan.

The interior secretary and commissioner Lahore division briefed the participants of meeting about security and other necessary arrangements. Provisional Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Rana Mashood Ahmed, Ayub Gadhi, Syed Raza Ali Gillani, Jahangir Khanzada, Advisor Rana Maqbool Ahmed, Special Assistant Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, Advisor Dr Umer Saif, chief secretary, IG police, senior officials of civil, military and law enforcing agencies and secretaries of other concerned departments attended the meeting.

Security agencies and the govt institutions would work in coordination to ensure peace in the city during final of the PSL match, spokesman Punjab government Malik Ahmad Khan said on Wednesday.

"We would provide peaceful atmosphere to the citizens as we introduce biometrics and screening system for protection of PSL fans," he said.

On Wednesday, army and Rangers personnel also visited the Gadaffi Stadium to review the arrangements inside the stadium. As per the security plan, police and army contingents would be deployed in and around the stadium while no parking would be allowed within 400 yards of the venue.

The law enforcers have been directed to conduct background checks of those residing in the vicinity of the stadium and their servants as well.

The Punjab's chief minister has appealed the nation to support the governments efforts in making the PSL final a success. Moreover, the Punjab government would run buses for convenience of cricket fans.

As per traffic plan, parking will be at least 1,000 metres away from Gaddafi Stadium. Duppata Gali, Jam-e-Shirin Park, Tariq Road, Muslim Town Bridge, PCSIR Ground and Liberty Ground have been specified as parking areas.