Army to share security arrangements for Quaid Games

ISLAMABAD: Army will fully support the organisation of the second edition of the Quaid-i-Azam Inter-Provincial Games scheduled to be held from December 25-29, taking all the necessary measures for the security and safety of the athletes and spectators in coordination with civil authorities.

Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada said that he was assured full cooperation and support by the Army high-ups in an effort to make the event a success.

“I have been assured all-out support and cooperation from the higher authorities in Army to make the Games a real success. I am grateful to the Army for showing support for the Games,” he said.

The government in coordination with the security forces and civil administration has planned special measures to hold the second edition of the Quaid-i-Azam Games in the safest possible manner.

A special meeting of the Steering Committee was held Friday at the Pakistan Sports Complex to finalise the security plans and make foolproof measures for sportspersons and spectators during and before start of the Games.

The meeting that was chaired by Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada decided to involve security forces in making foolproof arrangements.

“It has been decided that the full cooperation would be sought from all the security agencies in making the Games trouble free in all respect. Proper security measures would be in order before start of the Games,” Dr Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera, Director General Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), when approached, said.

He added that Pirzada stressed upon the concerned that all possible measures should be adopted to keep crowd and sports persons safe.It was decided that a special meeting would be held with the chief commissioner ICT as well as CCPO, Rawalpindi, Pakistan National Council of the Arts, PTV, Ministry of CADD and Capital Development Authority to finalise the exact security measures and other arrangements for the event.

Pirzada paid rich tributes to Army for making the environment conducive to hold such big events. “The war against terrorism is bearing fruits as sports activities are being revived in the country.”

The Ministry of Planning and Ministry of Interior officials who were also present on the occasion vouched their full support to hold the high profile Games in a befitting manner.Ganjera informed the meeting that in line with the title, the Games have been attached with birthday of Quaid-i-Azam and it was considered more appropriate to start the Games from December 25 (Quaid’s birthday). “More than 3,700 male and female players in 19 disciplines would participate in the Games.”

Secretary Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui suggested that the organisation of the event should also be linked with the celebrations of 70th anniversary of Pakistan.

“The basic objective of the project is to create environment conducive for promoting national harmony by engaging the youth in healthier activities. This will promote positive thinking, peace, nation building and festivity.”

He assured that the total amount of Rs130.830 million would be released shortly to organise the event.Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, secretary Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform, Amjad Ali Khan, secretary Ministry of IPC, Dr Akhter Nawaz Ganjera, director general PSB, Waheed Zaman Chief Sports Officer Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform, Muhammad Siddique Joint Secretary Ministry of Interior, Muhammad Ali Director ICT, Ch Ramzan Ali, DS (Admin) Ministry of CADD, and others attended the meeting. Muhammad Azam Dar, director Establishment & Coordination/Games Coordinator PSB was also present during the meeting.