LAHORE: Punjab Cabinet’s Sub-Committee on Law and Order has approved arrangements and security plan for three one-day internationals (ODIs) and one T20 match between Pakistan and Australia in the provincial capital.

The committee met at the Civil Secretariat and Punjab Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Muhammad Basharat Raja presided over the meeting via a video link from Rawalpindi, according to a handout.

Minister for Labour Ansar Majeed, the chief secretary, inspector general of police, additional chief secretary home, the CCPO, commissioner and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

The meeting discussed the administrative matters and security of the ODI series starting on Tuesday (today) in Lahore.

The law minister directed that Iftar hours should be kept in view for the security of upcoming matches to be held during Ramzan.

“The spectators will start arriving immediately after breaking the fast, so this aspect should be taken into consideration in the security arrangements,” he directed the officials, adding that security arrangements for the Australian team were stricter than those for the PSL matches.

Basharat Raja praised the Lahore administration and police for arranging sports and other recent events and directed them that the route of the Australian team and surroundings of the Qaddafi Stadium should be closely monitored round the clock.

“The district administration and the police should liaise with each other regarding parking and traffic plan for the spectators coming to the stadium,” he said.

The Cabinet Committee approved the construction of six new police stations in six districts of Punjab. Taking population growth and other issues into consideration, new police stations would be set up in DG Khan, Bhakkar, Rajanpur, Kasur, Faisalabad and Okara.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2022