Security arrangements finalised for PSL matches in Karachi

Law enforcement agencies on Tuesday finalised a security plan for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches starting at the National Stadium in Karachi on March 9.

“Some 13,000 police officials and jawans will be deployed for the PSL security,” revealed Additional IG Karachi Dr Amir Shaikh while addressing a press conference at the stadium. “Fifty SSPs and 250 commandos will also be among them.”

Shaikh, who was flanked by East Zone police chief DIG Amir Farooqui, DIG Traffic Javed Ali Mehar and Rangers senior officials, said that apart from the jawans, some 700 to 800 female police officers and personnel would also be deployed on security duties during the matches. Sharing details of the security plan, he said that eight cricket matches of the PSL would be played at the National Stadium, and law enforcers had set up four checkpoints while security had been divided into five layers.

The Karachi police chief said the police was already engaged in conducting combing operations in the city in connection with the PSL matches. He added that a strong coordination had already been made between the law enforcement agencies and the health department and emergency services, including the fire brigade department, to avoid any untoward incident and to face any mishap.

Talking about the security arrangements en route to the stadium, Shaikh said that all routes from the hotel to the stadium would also be made by the Special Security Unit. He said the matches’ starting time is 7 O’Clock, but the gates of the stadium would remain open between 2pm and 5pm.

“We have requested the spectators to please come two hours before the match timing to avoid any hurdle as the gates will be closed by 5pm. The spectators will be allowed to go inside the stadium after a proper body-search and passing through the walkthrough gates.”

He said that every match-goer would be checked before entering the stadium, but it did not mean that the fans would be harassed by the security forces. He added that full dress rehearsals had also been made in connection with the security arrangements.

The additional inspector general further said that spectators would not be allowed to bring eatables from outside the venue as better arrangements that those of the last time had been made in the stadium.

Personnel of the police’s Special Branch would also be deputed at the hotel and along the routes. Two helicopters will be on standby for the aerial surveillance. He said more CCTV cameras had been installed to make security stronger and a control room had also been set up to monitor activities.

The city police chief further noted that five parking facilities had been arranged for the spectators. “Five hundred shuttle services have also been arranged for the match-goers to go to the stadium and to come back to the parking places.” Shaikh said the routes leading from Karsaz, Hassan Square and Dalmia would be closed for the vehicular traffic.