A 23-member squad is currently participating in the fifth National Women Football Championship in the federal capital.

An official of the federal government told Dawn on condition of anonymity: ‘A complete mess-up was witnessed in the coordination of the officials of the Pakistan Sports Board who were appointed by the ministry to coordinate with the security officials for foolproof security.’

‘The official concerned, Azam Dar, who had attended a high-powered Interior Ministry meeting meant to tackle security affairs of the Iranian team along with the Director General of the PSB Amir Hamza Gilani, has never took the matter seriously,’ he said.

‘We have failed to contact Azam Dar and another official of the PSB who were supposed to look after the affairs,’ he said.

Only 31 police officials, he said, were deputed in and around Pakistan Sports Complex which shows lack of interest of PSB official in an important national event.

‘Junior security officials of the PSB’s security wing were without high-power technological gadgets while no vehicle was provided to them,’ the official said.

It is pertinent to mention that none of the top Sports Ministry officials were aware about a scheduled medical examination of more than 1,000 students at the Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex, close to which the visiting team is staying and playing their matches.

The official pointed out: ‘Around 500 vehicles entered the cordoned off area of the Pakistan Sports Complex which was a clear security breach.’

‘The Sports Minister Pir Aftab Shah, Sports Secretary Anis-ul-Husnain Moosvi were never informed about the scheduled examination held at the Liaquat Gymansium,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Sports Secretary Anis-ul-Husnain in a quick action handed over the security charge to Deputy Director General Akhtar Ganjera which was earlier managed by a junior facility management officer.

The official said: ‘The sports secretary later called in rangers and informed all the concerned security departments to beef up the security of the Iranian women football team after witnessing lack of coordination from the PSB official Azam Dar.’

However, a well-coordinated effort from media coordinator Pakistan Football Federation Irfan Niazi helped the team to visit a commercial mall in the capital city under stringent security cover.

‘The team has visited commercial shopping centre in complete security and things are now moving in the right direction,’ the official said.

The official further informed: ‘Federal Sports Minister Pir Aftab Shah Jilani will chair a high-powered meeting on Monday after he was informed by top security sources of poor security management and lack of cooperation and coordination by PSB officials.’