Directs police chief to procure two bulletproof buses
Naimat Khan
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that he is keen to bring international cricket back to Karachi, therefore he would provide foolproof security for the PSL final match scheduled to be held in the city on March 25.
This he said while talking to Chairman PCB Najam Sethi who called on him along with his security team here at the CM House here on Friday. Those who attended the meeting include PCB Director Security & Anti-Corruption Mohammad Azam Khan, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, IG Sindh AD Khowaja, Home Secretary Qazi Shahid Pervaiz, Deputy DG Rangers Brig Nasir, Adl. IG Karachi Mushtaq Maher, Commissioner Karachi Aijaz Ali Khan, DIG South Azad Khan and SSP security.
The chief minister said that he has already issued necessary directives to his administration to make foolproof security arrangements for PSL final match. “People of Sindh are excited to receive international cricket players in the city,” he said.
The PCB Chairman said that there should be security rehearsal for PCB event. On this the chief minister directed IG Police and Deputy DG Rangers to make full dress security rehearsal and get it covered by the media. “This would further develop confidence of international cricket in our security arrangement,” he said and directed the IG Police to do the drill within next 30 days as and when requested by PCB security team. He went on saying the provincial government has already provided foolproof security to two important events successfully. They were of Syedna Mufaddal saifuddin Moharram Majalis and other one of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan and now this event would also be held in a most successful way.
Najam Sethi told the chief minister that they would arrange some armored vehicles or bullet proof vehicles to transport the players from airport to hotel and to the stadium. On this, the chief minister directed IG police to procure two bullet proof armored buses. The specification of the armored buses should be in accordance with the international standards; he said and directed the IG Police to make necessary consultation with PCB security team for the purpose. “Mr Sethi, we would do each and everything whatever you want but we want you to bring international cricket back to Karachi,” he asked him in a lighter mood.
Mr Sethi told the chief minister that the repair work of the stadium was in progress. On this IG Police AD Khowaja suggested that SSP security may be inducted into the team of PCB responsible for carrying out repairing work. The SSP security would suggest installation of walk through gates, Installation of CCTV cameras, construction exit and entry points in accordance with security requirement etc. The meeting decided to involve the SSP security in the repair work.
It may be noted that PSL final match would be played in Karachi on March 25. Mr Najam Sethi lauded the efforts of the chief minister for restoring peace in the city. “You have done your job successfully,” he said.
The chief minister directed IG police, Home secretary and PCB team to coordinate with each other for further decisions.
