KARACHI, March 11: The Nazim of Karachi appealed on Thursday to the citizens, particularly the youth, to make the first One-Day International, to be played between Pakistan and India at the National Stadium on Saturday
, a memorable event in the history of Indo-Pak relations.
Naimatullah Khan also asked the management of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation to ensure that power supply to any part of the city was not disrupted on Saturday so that the people who wanted to see the match on television did not miss it.
Speaking at a press conference in the city government secretariat, he said that at a time when the entire international media were focussing on the first one-dayer of the current series, it was the responsibility of all the citizens to show that they not only loved sports but also peace.
Describing Karachi as the hub of trade and industrial activities, Mr Khan cautioned the citizens "to be wary of the designs of the western media, as they were bent upon tarnishing the image of the city by characterizing its law-and-order situation as unsatisfactory".
Terming the western media propaganda 'a calculated move' against Karachi, he said: "Had the city's law-and-order situation not been satisfactory, the French government would not have reopened its consulate-general here, which they had closed after the killing of the French technicians in 2002. Also, foreign investors would not have evinced a keen interest in launching their projects in the city".
He said he was of the firm belief that the one-dayer, to be held peacefully, would serve as a landmark in improving Indo-Pak relations for which both the Pakistani and Indian governments were endeavouring because the fruits of peace would go to their two peoples.
HOLIDAY: He said the offices of the city government and all the 18 town administrations would remain closed on Saturday so that the workers could see the one-dayer. He also requested the owners of private establishments to declare Saturday as a holiday.
He asked the Town Nazims to make arrangements for showing the match live by setting up large screens at some covered places. Referring to the security measures being taken at the National Stadium, he said the venue had been divided into two parts, one of which would be managed by the rangers personnel and the other by the police.
All those who had bought the tickets for the match must enter the stadium by 8am as all its gates would be closed afterwards. Mr Khan said all the roads leading to the stadium would remain closed for vehicular traffic.
About the parking arrangements, he said the people visiting the stadium may park their vehicles at any of the four parking lots set up specially for the purpose. He said no complimentary passes had been issued and all the tickets had been sold through a computerized system.
He requested the cricket fans not to carry food items into the stadium as various foodstuffs would be available inside it. The Nazim said he was amazed when he was told that the biggest stadium in the city, having a population of about 14 million, was only 33,000. Mr Khan added that efforts would be made to either increase the capacity of the National Stadium or build a new and bigger one.
