Sindh CM, PCB chairman plan security arrangements for PSL final in Karachi

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Najam Sethi on Friday reviewed and planned security arrangements for the final match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) slated to be held in Karachi on March 25.

“I am keen to bring international cricket back to Karachi, therefore, I would provide foolproof security for the PSL final match,” said the CM in a meeting with Sethi and his security team here at the CM House.

Director Security & Anti-Corruption PCB Mohammad Azam Khan, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Inspector General Sindh AD Khowaja, Home Secretary Qazi Shahid Pervaiz, Deputy Director General Rangers Brig Nasir, Additional IG Karachi Mushtaq Maher, Commissioner Karachi Aijaz Ahmed Khan, DIG South Azad Khan and SSP security were also present on this occasion.

The chief minister said that he had already issued necessary directives to his administration to make foolproof security arrangements for the PSL final match. “People of Sindh are excited to receive international cricket players in the city,” he said.

On request of the PCB chairman, the CM directed the IG police and deputy DG Rangers to make full dress security rehearsal and get it covered by the media.

“This would further develop confidence of international cricketers on our security arrangement,” he said and directed the IG Police to do the drill within next 30 days as and when requested by the PCB security team.

He said the provincial government had recently provided foolproof security to two big events successfully: one of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin’s visit to Moharram Majalis and the other one of Prince Karim Aga Khan’s visit to the megapolis and now the next event would also be held in a most successful way.

Najam Sethi requested for arrangement of some armored/ bulletproof vehicles to transport the players from airport to hotel and to the stadium. On this, Murad directed the IG police to procure two bulletproof armoured buses.

The specifications of the armored buses should be in accordance with the international standards, he said and directed the IG police to make necessary consultation with the PCB security team for the purpose.

“Mr Sethi, we would do each and everything whatever you want but we want you to bring international cricket back to Karachi,” he said.

Sethi told that the repair work of the stadium was in progress. On this

The IG police suggested to induct SSP security inducted into the team of PCB responsible for carrying out the ongoing repairing work in the stadium.

“The SSP security would suggest installation of walk through gates, CCTV cameras, exit and entry points in accordance with security requirements. Hence, the meeting decided to involve the SSP security in the repair work,” he said.

It may be noted that the PSL final match would be played in Karachi on March 25. Najam Sethi lauded the efforts of the CM for restoring peace in the city. “You have done your job successfully,” he said.

Murad directed the IG police, home secretary and PCB team to coordinate with each other for further decisions.