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Expresses resolve to fail enemy’s designs with collective efforts, vision
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the authorities concerned to ensure foolproof security for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) semi-finals scheduled to be held in the provincial capital.
The chief minister issued these directives while presiding over a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation. The participants of the meeting strongly condemned the Raiwind blast and paid tribute to the sacrifices made by police officials and other martyrs. They also prayed for the departed souls and a speedy recovery of the injured.
An interim report of the blast was presented during the meeting, and the security of PSL matches besides other matters also came under review.
Shehbaz while issuing directives for a peaceful and safe holding of the PSL matches said that the enthusiasts would get a chance to witness the best cricket in Lahore. “International cricket is being revived in Pakistan,” he added.
He said that foolproof security should be provided to the players and expressed the satisfaction that due to the efforts and sacrifices of the Pakistan army, police and other law enforcement agencies, the incidents of terrorism had sufficiently been decreased. He said the Raiwind blast was a brutal conspiracy to destabilise the country and the immortal sacrifices of police officials and other martyrs who lost their lives in the attack, would not go wasted. All our sympathies are with the bereaved families, said the chief minister.
He said that foolproof security arrangements for the cricket matches would be ensured at every cost and all the departments concerned would have to make the best arrangements with their collective efforts and by maintaining close liaison with each other.
“The enemy does not want the nation experience joy, but we have to fail the nefarious designs with our collective efforts and vision,” said Shehbaz.
He also directed best cleanliness arrangements for the stadium and said that a continued supply of electricity should be ensured inside the stadium as well as at the entry and exit points during the matches.
“The route of the team, along with the whole city, should be illuminated,” he added.
Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Ayub Gadhi, Bilal Yasin, Jehangir Khanzada, Khawaja Imran Nazir, PCB Chairman Najam Sethi, chief secretary, additional chief secretary (Home), inspector general of police, secretaries of the concerned departments and other officials attended the meeting.
Separately, Chief Minister Shehbaz expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death of Ataul Haq Qasmi’s sister.
In his condolence message, the chief minister prayed that may Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage and strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.
