KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that he is keen on bringing international cricket back to Karachi and foolproof security would be provided for the PSL final, scheduled to be held in the city in March 2018.

The chief minister stated this while talking to Chairman PCB Najam Sethi who called on him along with his security team here at the CM House on Friday.

The CM disclosed 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.

Najam Sethi meets Murad Ali Shah at CM House

He also directed the IG Police to make full dress security rehearsal within the next 30 days and arrange bullet proof vehicles to transport the players from airport to hotel and the stadium. The chief minister also asked IG police to procure two bullet proof armoured 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 also with PCB security team for the purpose.

“We would do each and everything whatever you want but we want you to bring international cricket back to Karachi,” CM told Sethi during the meeting.

Sethi lauded the chief minister’s efforts for restoration of peace in the city and for endorsing his suggestions to carry out a security rehearsal for the event and arrange bullet proof vehicles to transport the players from airport to hotel and to the stadium.

“This would further restore the confidence of international cricket in our security and in Pakistan being a safe place for sporting events,” he said.

It may be mentioned that the provincial government successfully provided foolproof security to two important recent events including Syedna Mufad­dal Saifuddin’s Moharram congregations and during the high profile visit of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan.

Sethi informed the chief minister that repair work at the National Stadium was progressing steadily and smoothly. At this juncture, IG Police AD Khowaja suggested that SSP security be made part of the repair project at the NSK. “The SSP security could help in installation of walk through gates, CCTV cameras, construction exit and entry points in accordance with security requirement etc,” he said.

Those present at 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.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2017