Businessmen suffer huge losses due to PSL matches, claims APAT chief

The city traders have incurred an estimated loss of Rs 30 billion during two-day Pakistan Super League (PSL-III) matches played at the Gaddafi Stadium.
"Due to the PSL matches, we have to bear an estimated loss of Rs 30 billion as the security agencies had thrown a strict security blanket and closed down all 40 shops inside the Gaddafi Stadium without paying a single penny to the affected traders," said All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran President Khalid Pervaiz while talking to Business Recorder on Wednesday.
He lambasted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the provincial government saying security measures adopted by law enforcers, particularly police, created a chaos-like situation in the city which not only created worst traffic mess on all major thoroughfares but also disturbed the trading activity as a number of people could not reach their desired places.
Khalid claimed that poor traffic and security plan also badly affected all major wholesale markets of the city as traders remained unable to reach their shops due to heavy traffic mess.
"Who will be responsible for this irreparable loss?" he asked, adding that poor roadside vendors who used to earn their livings by selling food to people inside the stadium are starving.
He said the government should not hold such events in future by putting lives of people at risk.
According to Khalid, the closure of Ferozepur Road resulted in worst traffic mess on major alternative arteries and markets which include Main Boulevard, Gulberg, Campus, Ichra, Jail Road and Wahdat Road besides others.
On the contrary, a number of commuters expressed their anger over poor traffic plan by the city traffic police and Punjab police.
Many commuters remained trapped in long queues on major arteries due to diversions created for the PSL matches.
A commuter, Muhammad Usman, said it seemed that they are living in a banana republic where anything can happen with the people any time. He held law enforcers responsible for making lives of people miserable.
He alleged that traffic wardens were seen aggressive and misguiding motorists about traffic diversions. "Although revival of international cricket is very important, but the authorities concerned should not compromise on lives of its citizens.
Another commuter, Huzaifa Ahmad, said he remained trapped on Gulberg Road for almost three hours.
He said the police closed down the major city road notwithstanding the playoff was scheduled for the evening.
It may be noted that long queues of vehicles were seen on various arteries including Ferozepur Road, The Mall, Jail Road, Main Boulevard, Wahdat Road and all roads adjacent to or connecting Gulberg with other parts of the city.
Several lanes in Garden Town, Muslim Town, Rehmanpura, Ichhra and Gulberg were also choked, leaving motorists stuck for hours. The police officials were found diverting traffic to detours after entry/exit points of most roads leading to Gulberg were blocked.
The worst situation was witnessed in Garden Town and Gulberg, as commuters were clueless about which route to take to reach their destinations.