Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations) Rai Babar Saeed said on Thursday that they have prepared a "coordinated security plan" according to which citizens, especially traders, would be "least disturbed" during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches starting from today (Friday) at the Gaddafi Stadium.
On Tuesday, Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh during a media briefing had claimed that one day closure of Liberty and other surrounding markets caused an estimated loss of Rs21 billion to traders.
"There are ample proofs for the revival of sports in Pakistan. Although we (the trader community) support efforts of the government aimed at highlighting the soft image of Pakistan but it is also important that the business activities should not be damaged," Sheikh had said.
During the cricket matches in the recent past, Liberty and other markets and restaurants adjacent to the Gaddafi Stadium were ordered to remain closed which resulted in significant losses to traders and daily wagers, added Sheikh. "Over 10,000 cops including 16 SPs, 34 DSPs, 103 inspectors and sub-inspectors and 515 upper subordinates will perform security duty during the PSL matches to ensure foolproof security of the national and international players and spectators," the DIG said while talking to reporters.
"Maximum efforts will be made to least disturb the business activities around the route of the cricket team during the matches. Zero routes will be adopted by closing the roads for a minimum time only during the movement of teams from their residential places to the stadium and vice versa," added DIG Saeed.
He said that Lahore police always played a pivotal role in promoting international sports in Pakistan by providing maximum security to such events. He added that surety bonds had been obtained from the people concerned to ensure peaceful matches. A three-tier security will be provided to the spectators, who will be allowed to enter the stadium after complete physical checking. The spectators will not be allowed to bring prohibited items with them, said the DIG.
"We will also ensure complete implementation of devised SOPs so that the PSL playoffs could be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere," he said, adding that round-the-clock monitoring of residential places of the teams, matches and movements of the players and citizens in and around the cricket stadium will be ensured through CCTV cameras.
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