The Punjab government has finalised the security arrangements for the final match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to be held on March 5 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
The government has decided to provide five-tier security to the final’s contesting teams of the final to avert any untoward incident. A senior police official told Pakistan Today that this decision was made in a special meeting which chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Army, Rangers, and police officials met at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday to review the security measures taken by all law enforcement institutions. They also met with PSL Chairman Najam Sethi and other PSL organisers.
Generally, a three-tier security cover is provided to VVIPs but for the final, the players will be provided with a five-tier security protocol usually reserved for heads of states.
Extra police personnel will be deployed at all roads adjacent to Gaddafi Stadium during the final match, and both stadium complex gates leading to Ferozpur Road and Liberty Market will be closed.
Shops located on the stadium complex premises have been ordered to close from Monday and will remain closed till after the final match.
According to the details provided by police officials, the provincial government has also called for the services of police officers from other districts. Sources said that District Police Officer (DPO) Atak Zahid Nawaz Marwat has been appointed as the overall incharge of the motorcade. The DPO was also the incharge of the motorcade for the Pakistan-Zimbabwe cricket match held in 2015.
DPO Chiniot Mustansar Feroq will be the security incharge inside the stadium while DPO Mandi Bahauddin Umar Salamat will be incharge of all entry and exit pickets. DPO Vihari Umar Saeed Malik has been appointed as the incharge of the Quick Response Force and Elite Police, while SSP Tayyab Hafeez Cheema will be incharge of intercity police pickets.
According to police officials, at least 7,000 police personnel will be deployed for the security of the contesting teams and the public including 12 superintendents (SPs) 35 deputy superintendent (DSPs) and 84 station house officers (SHOs).
Other than match timings, all players and officials will be kept inside a security ring to keep them from the reach of any unauthorised persons.
It has been made mandatory for every citizen coming to the stadium to bring his or her identity card and they will only be allowed to enter the stadium after biometric verification. Everyone will have to pass through walk-through gates which will be manned by police personnel accompanied by paramilitary staff where they will be checked with metal detectors and sniffer dogs.
Beside this, military and paramilitary soldiers will be combing different routes leading towards the stadium.
Police sources told Pakistan Today that all hotels in Gulberg area will be remained closed till March 5 and law enforcers will be keeping all those living on rent in the vicinity under observation.
During the match, at least 3,000 security personnel will guard the venue and no vehicle would be allowed to park within 400 yards of the stadium premises.
On the request of the provincial government, the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has announced that the provincial capital will be exempted from load-shedding on March 5 and Gaddafi Stadium will be provided with uninterrupted electricity to be supplied from Garden Town and Shadman grid stations.
The decision of holding the final match of the PSL in Lahore has sent a wave of excitement among showbiz personalities, including film producer and director Syed Noor, film star Resham, Sana, and Shahida Mini.
Meanwhile, Punjab Sports Director General Zulfiqar Ahmad Ghumman met Pakistan Super League Chairman Najam Sethi on Tuesday and pledged full SBP support for holding the final of PSL in a smooth manner.
