ISLAMABAD – Addressing the security arrangements for today’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) final, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan confirmed that over 7,000 troops are being deployed to safeguard Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
While talking to the media on Saturday, Nisar said this shows the government’s commitment to proving to the world that Pakistan is peaceful and is completely safe to host international cricket.
“12 SPs, 35 DSPs and 84 SHOs will be among over 7,000 troops whose responsibility would be to ensure that a domestic league cricket match is safely played out,” the minister confirmed. “Have you ever seen this level of security for a contest that isn’t even an international match? This highlights our resolve to give the right message to the world about the security situation in Pakistan.”
Nisar added that the fact that low-profile foreign players would be participating in today’s showdown further strengthens Pakistan’s case.
“We have a 5-tier security system for many international players that the jihadist groups might not even have heard of. Can you imagine the number of tiers and army of troops once the likes of AB De Villiers, Mitchell Starc, Joe Root and Trent Boult come to Pakistan?” he said.
Underscoring the global conspiracies against Pakistan, the Federal Interior Minister said that it is ‘unbelievable’ that a nuclear-armed state is being considered unsafe to play cricket in.
“We have the atom bomb. We can defend ourselves against anyone,” he stressed. “In fact, nuclear weapons form the final tier of security for the PSL final. We know when, where and how to use them.”
Nisar was hopeful that the PSL final would result in foreign teams visiting Pakistan.
“We’re going to host peace talks with leaders of various groups in Murree this summer,” he confirmed. “We’re confident the negotiations will deliver the desired result.”
