As Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Sunday announced to hold all 8 instead of 5 Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in Karachi, the Sindh police have chalked out comprehensive security and traffic plan with announcing deployment of over 13,000 personnel to maintain law and order during the international event in the metropolis.
The Sindh Police Chief Dr Syed Kaleem Imam issued directives to his subordinates asking them to fulfil their designated responsibilities with professional dedication, and make the event successful, with conveying a message of love, and peace to the world.
As many as 13,112 police personnel would be performing duties during the event matches that would be played in National Stadium, a police report said. It said that the IG has also asked police to review the CCTV cameras installed right from Airport to hotel and hotel to the National Stadium. Such cameras installed inside the stadium should also be checked properly and the command and control system should be vigilant as par the contingency plan.
Three PSL matches were scheduled to be held in Lahore on March 9, 10 and 12 at the Gaddafi Stadium, however, due to logistical issues and the flight schedule, PCB has announced to shift all 3 matches to Karachi instead.
Five matches were already scheduled to be played in Karachi this year, including the March 17 final.
Police officials said all national and foreign players, delegates, staff, and guests attending the PSL in Karachi would be provided with protocol as par with the international standards.
The hotel managements have also been directed to facilitate the players and guests with generous hospitality as it's a great honour for this city and the country to see international players in action. Meanwhile the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said the provincial capital is all set to host the remaining eight matches of PSL season-4 as Karachiites are cricket lovers. The authorities have already declared Karachi the 'Sports City'.
"Two years back, I was asking for holding of single PSL match in Karachi, this year we got all," CM told while addressing media after PCB announced the eight Pakistan-leg matches of the PSL will be played in Karachi. He said the event is challenging for the provincial authorities however he vowed to make it successful.
Besides police, the paramilitary rangers and other law enforcing agencies will be handling security at the National Stadium for the matches. As the stadium has limited capacity for crowd to adjust, the civic authorities have planned to place large screens at different city neighbourhoods where the cricket lovers, particularly families would enjoy live cricket matches.
Civic agencies are also making all out efforts for beautification of the city thoroughfares, roundabouts, streets and routs leading to the National Stadium. Maintenance of footpaths, pavement of sewerage lines, and removal of garbage from parts of the city are also being done.
The government will plant some 4000 trees as part of PSL related beautification of the metropolis. This initiative will be sustainable, and will have positive environmental impacts.
The revival of international cricket in Pakistan particularly in Karachi is largely welcomed by people from different segments of societies, as the President Arts Council of Pakistan Ahmed Shah said that Karachi had been faced, communal violence and extremism but the lights of Karachi are restoring and we are working to bring the virtue back with the help of such events. The city police in collaboration with the police developed a plan for smooth traffic movement on city thoroughfares during the event.
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