LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday made a surprise visit to Qaddafi Stadium and its surrounding areas in order to check security measures.
Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and PSL Chairman, Najam Sethi also accompanied the Chief Minister.
Officials said the CM visited the venue and reviewed arrangements. He was briefed over security plan and other arrangements.
Over 10,000 security personnel, including army men, will provide unprecedented protection for the final of the Pakistan Super League in Lahore, Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif announced on the eve of the match.
“More than 10,000 cops, rangers and army personnel will provide fool-proof security to PSL 2017 final at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore,” Sharif said.
Unprecedented security arrangements have been put in place for the PSL final in Lahore. It is something that Pakistan has never witnessed before either in any Test or ODI matches even when the Indian cricket team toured here in 2004.
“The propaganda that some 60,000 security personnel will provide security to PSL final is wrong. No one (a reference of Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan) can be allowed to do politics in the cricket match,” Shahbaz said, adding that the tomorrow’s final is a national event and is being treated accordingly.
The PCB’s own bullet-proof buses will be used for carrying the teams from their hotels to the stadium and back. Sniffer dogs, which were also used when India toured here in 2004, are visible in good numbers at the Gaddafi stadium.
The Punjab Constabulary, Dolphin Force, Police Response Unit, Elite Force and personnel from various police stations have been deployed to guard the stadium, all routes, nearby buildings and the roads.
Since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March 2009, international teams have largely chosen to stay away from touring Pakistan.
