KARACHI: A delegation of Sri Lanka Cricket visited the Central Police Office on Wednesday and met Inspector General of Police Dr Kaleem Imam to discuss arrangements for security of the upcoming matches at the National Stadium Karachi.

The five-member delegation was led by Sri Lankan board’s secretary Mohan De Silva.

A five-member delegation of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), led by director international cricket operations Zakir Khan, was also present during the meeting.

The Sindh home secretary, Sri Lankan consul general and other senior officials of Rangers and police attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed security steps, strategy and all proposals to this effect regarding cricket series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka to be held next month in the metropolis.

The IGP informed the participants that law and order situation had improved compared to the past.

He said that after 9/11 incidents in the United States, Pakistan also remained in the grip of uncertainty and bad law and order situation but after sustained and serious steps and operations by the armed forces, police and Rangers and other law enforcers, the security situation had not only improved but the people’s confidence had also been strengthened.

He assured the Sri Lankan cricket board about provision of foolproof security as per international standards for their cricket team.

Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon informed the delegation that the city police were extremely active for maintaining law and order.

DIG East Amir Farooqi informed the participants about a contingency plan for cricket matches and stated that security of the team would be monitored from airport to the stadium through command and control centres while snipers would be deployed on rooftops of buildings en route.

Other necessary security steps included deployment of police commandos and encircling of all routes leading to the stadium, he said, adding that checking of computerised national identity cards and vehicles of spectators was also part of the plan.

He said that the police security steps taken for the Pakistan Super League matches as well as the West Indies women team were also appreciated at the international level.

DIG Traffic Javed Mahar informed the meeting about the traffic plan to ensure smooth flow of traffic during matches.

Brigadier Shafiq of the Rangers briefed the participants about the strategy adopted by the paramilitary force to ensure peace during the matches.

A police spokesperson said that Mr De Silva of Sri Lanka Cricket expressed his satisfaction about overall security steps.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2019