The Ministry of Interior is in close co-ordination with Punjab government to ensure foolproof security to Pakistan Supper League (PSL) finals on March 5 (Sunday). Talking to Business Recorder, Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan advisor to Chief Minister on Information and spokesman for the Punjab government said that a five-layer security plan had been finalised for PSL final match under which intensive security arrangements would be made to avert any untoward incident.
He said that a heavy contingent of security personnel including Pakistan Army, Rangers and Punjab police would be deployed on the occasion. Security personnel would be deployed in the surroundings of Qadhafi Stadium and its adjoining areas as well as at the rooftop of buildings a day before the PSL final match.
Khan said that gas supply would be disconnected 24 hours ahead of the match only to the Stadium. However, he said the government had not yet taken a final decision to suspend mobile services in adjoining areas of the ground on March 5. He said intelligent deployment of security personnel would be made on the occasion in order to avoid inconvenience to the public, adding the law enforcement agencies would also conduct aerial surveillance and monitoring of the event.
A senior official of Punjab police said police would check CNICs of over 25,000 expected spectators and conduct biometric verification before allowing them to enter the venue of the match. Security personnel would also conduct body search at four different points before reaching the gate of the ground, he said. Under the security plan, he said that 10 senior police officers from the entire province would provide input in connection with security arrangements for the match.
Police have documented buildings, houses and commercial plazas in the adjoining areas of the ground as part of security measures. According to PSL official website tickets for the final match were sold in four price categories: Rs 500, Rs 4000, Rs 8000 and Rs 12000 online and through designated Bank of Punjab branches across the city where large queues of cricket enthusiasts were seen. Foreign cricketers including Kevin Petersen, Luke Wright, Tymal Mills who were playing for Quetta Gladiators have reportedly refused to play in the final of PSL due to security concerns.