LAHORE: Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar presided over a meeting on Saturday in which arrangements for Pakistan Super League Four (PSL Four), traffic plan and security were discussed.

Mr Buzdar said fool-proof security arrangements would be made for the matches of the super league to be held in Lahore and best arrangements would be made for crowd as well as for the players. The arrangements would be as per the level of the mega event. Cricket fans will be provided best facilities inside and outside of the stadium.

He said we would ensure the holding of the matches in a peaceful and secure environment. He said cultural shows would be arranged along the area from the parking lot to the stadium.

“This is the matter of the respect of Pakistan, we will ensure that matches are held in peaceful environment,” he said, adding that the traffic plan would be strictly implemented so that the people did not face commuting problems during matches. He said the citizens should be informed about the alternative traffic plan in an effective manner. The meeting also decided to run the shuttle service from the parking area to the stadium for cricket fans. He said food arrangements would be made for the staff which would perform duties during the matches.

He said best arrangements should be made for the matches and there would be no compromise on the standard and quality. He said the people would enjoy international standard cricket during the PSL Four matches to be held in Lahore. He said events like PSL would promote the soft image of Pakistan and restore activity at stadiums. He said lively people of Lahore wanted to see their favourite players in the ground.

The additional chief secretary briefed the meeting about security plan made for the matches. The Lahore chief traffic officer briefed the meeting about traffic plan.

Punjab Sports Minister Taimour Khan, the chief secretary, General Officer Commanding 10 Division Major General Muhammad Aamer, provincial police chief, spokesman for the chief minister Dr Shahbaz Gill, additional chief secretary home, the Lahore police chief, the Lahore commissioner, the secretary of information, the secretary of sports and senior officers of military and civilian institutes were present in the meeting.

Also, Mr Buzdar said Prime Minister Imran Khan has given the peace another change in the region and this gesture of peace of Mr Khan would be written in golden words in the history.

In a statement, he said the prime minister had given the message of peace to people and government of India, and now it was India’s turn to respond. He said Pakistan had always made solid measures for peace despite war hysteria of India and the release of the Indian pilot had been admired by the international community.

He said PM Imran Khan had proved himself to be a real leader by taking step forward toward peace. He said India should respond sensibly now so that fears of war are dispersed.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2019