ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Ahead of the Pakistan Super League 8 (PSL) cricket matches in Karachi, a comprehensive security plan has been prepared by the Sindh police for the safety of cricket players, officials and the public watching the mega event.
The extravaganza would continue in the metropolis until February 26, during which nine cricket matches would be played at the National Bank Cricket Arena.
Sindh Police Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dr Maqsood Ahmed said that a foolproof security plan has been finalised ahead of the PSL 8 in which 7,500 Sindh police personnel would be deployed in the city.
Around 2,600 personnel of the security division, including 1,000 female and male commandos of the Special Security Unit (SSU), 1,800 personnel of the traffic police, 600 personnel of the Special Branch of Sindh police, and other personnel of district police, would be carrying out their duties along at key points.
The security personnel will be deployed at the National Stadium, the Karachi airport, leading hotels, and other locations, while sharpshooters have been deployed at sensitive points.
PSL 8 security in Karachi
A Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) police team consisting of highly trained and well-equipped commandos would be put on alert at the SSU headquarters and patrolling would be carried out in the stadium’s surroundings to respond to possible emergencies.
An SSU specialized command and control bus would be stationed at the stadium to monitor the law-and-order situation in the stadium’s surroundings.
DIG Ahmed said that CNG-fitted vehicles and types of drones were strictly prohibited on the stadium premises, and roads would remain open for commuters except for on Sir Shah Suleman Road when the matches were under way.
Spectators would be guided and assisted from the parking points to the enclosures by the SSU commandos attired in tracksuits.
Fans have been advised to reach the stadium to avoid long queues. All stadium gates would open three hours before the start of the match.
Any firearms, toy guns, firecrackers, cigarettes, lighters, matchboxes, and sharp-edge materials like knives and metal-wooden clubs should not be allowed in the stadium.
Any banner, poster, or placard displaying discrimination and obscene remarks on the grounds of race, ethnicity, and religion is strictly forbidden. Spectators are not allowed to throw objects onto the ground or at fellow spectators.
