Assuring that complete security will be provided to the national and international cricketers, officials, as well as spectators during the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL-9), Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Usman Anwar has said that over 20, 000 police officers and personnel will perform security duties during the matches to be played in the province, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.
He has said that the Punjab Police will ensure that matches are held in a safe and peaceful environment.
The IGP has further said that the provincial police are in touch with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), district administrations and security agencies.
He has directed the police officials to go ahead with their search operation in and around the hotels where the players are staying, stadiums and the routes leading to these stadiums with the help of cameras of the Safe Cities Authorities. “Lady constables will be deployed at entrances to the venues of matches to frisk the bodies of female spectators,” he has informed.
Dr. Usman Anwar has stressed the need for making proper parking arrangements in and around the stadiums and devising such a plan so that traffic congestion could be avoided on the roads. “Personnel of the Rapid Response Unit, Dolphin Squad and the Elite Force should patrol the areas around the venues of matches,” he has directed.
The IGP has also directed the police personnel deployed at the entry and exit points of stadiums to behave nicely with the people coming to watch matches.
At the same time, he has also urged the spectators to follow the instructions of the police in order to watch matches in a completely secure environment.
In all, 23 matches of the event will be played in Punjab; nine matches in Lahore and Rawalpindi each, and five in Multan.
Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United will face each other in the first match of the tournament to be played at Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore today.
Lahore’s Traffic Police devises plan for today’s match
On the other hand, four SPs, 12 DSPs and 90 inspectors of the traffic police will perform duties during the first match of the tournament.
According to the CTO Lahore Ammara Athar, over 900 wardens have been deployed in and around the Qaddafi Stadium and the routes leading to it. “As many as 20 fork lifters have also been arranged to remove the vehicles parked in wrong areas,” she has adding, “As many as three parking stands have been reserved so that the people could easily reach the stadium.”
Ammara has said that the traffic police will welcome the spectators in its traditional way.
Giving further information, the spokesperson has said that The Mall, Canal Road, Jail Road, and Main Boulevard will remain open for the traffic. “No road will be closed while the match is being played,” she has said, adding, “However, some of the roads will be closed for a few moments during the movement of teams.”
The CTO has said that the spectators coming from The Mall, Ferozepur Road, Jail Road, Canal Road and Icchra will park their vehicles at the Government College for Boys.
Similarly, she has informed, the people coming from Thokar, Johar Town and Kahna areas of Lahore will also park their vehicles at the same college. “People coming from Defence and Cantonment will park their vehicles at Liberty Market and Sun Fort Hotel.
Ammara has asked citizens to dial helpline no 15 for information. “People should also avoid travelling to the stadium unnecessarily,” she has advised.
Reporter: Ali Sahi and Waqas Ahmad