KARACHI: Law enforcers on Thursday claimed to have made elaborate security and traffic arrangements for one-day matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka scheduled to be held on Friday (today), Sept 29 and Oct 2 at National Stadium Karachi.

“Around 4,500 policemen would be deployed on routes, hotels and the stadium,” said DIG East Amir Farooqi. This would be in addition to deployment of Rangers. Army soldiers would also be deployed on routes and at the National Stadium as well, revealed the senior police officer.

The Rangers would perform their security duty inside the stadium while outside in parking areas, police and Rangers would be deployed.

The officer disclosed that in the vicinity of the stadium only, around 1,300 policemen would perform their security duty.

Traffic arrangements have also been made.

The road from Karsaz to Hasan Square and Stadium Road from Time Medico to Dalmia would be closed for traffic. However, Stadium Road from New Town to Aga Khan University Hospital and Liaquat National Hospital would remain open. Streets around the stadium would also be closed.

Residents living in the vicinity of Karsaz and Hasan Square could go to their homes by showing their CNICs, however, general public would not be allowed there, said DIG Farooqi.

Separately, Traffic DIG Javed Mahar told reporters that traffic police had made special arrangements/diversion plan for the matches.

Meanwhile, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) on Thursday carried out repairs and maintenance of streetlights around National Stadium and at the roads and streets leading to the stadium for the forthcoming matches.

Official sources told Dawn that the engineering department of the city’s municipal administration was directed by Mayor Wasim Akhtar to immediately restore all streetlights around and at the route of the stadium to facilitate people.

They said the repair and maintenance of streetlights at Sharea Faisal, Ibrahim Rehmatullah Road (Karsaz) and Stadium Road from New Town Police Station to the stadium had been completed.

Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah along with the city administration officials visited the National Stadium and reviewed the arrangements for the upcoming matches.

Later, talking to media representatives, he said that special cards were issued to youth, especially the students of colleges and universities, so that they could enjoy the one-day series.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2019