ISLAMABAD: A petition has been filed in Islamabad High Court (IHC) against continuous blockades of main roads in Islamabad due to security protocol for Pakistan Super League (PSL) players.

Riaz Hanif Rahi in his petition maintained that private interests cannot be protected at the cost of public exchequer. He also challenged the closure of the road near the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).

The petition cited different ministries, the principal secretary to the prime minister and other officials and CDA along with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Leonine Global Sports and the owners of Islamabad United, Karachi King, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultan, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Serena Hotel and others as respondents.

The petition stated that public at large suffered due to blockades of roads leading towards Constitution Avenue surrounding the Serena Hotel. These roads are main access for lawyers and litigants in courts.

Petition says private interests cannot be protected at cost of public exchequer

It said PSL was a profit making venture with leading businessmen being its major stakeholders. This game is yet to be recognised in Olympics. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) launched the PSL in 2015 on the model of Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Big Bash League (BBL).

The petition stated that commercial rights to initial franchises were sold for $93m for a span of 10 years in December 2015. The market value of PSL in 2017 was up to $300m and increasing day by day. Its profit in the year 2016 was $2.6m and in the 2022 edition the PSL profit increased by 71pc; each franchise received Rs900m ($3.1m). The 2023 edition recorded a revenue of over Rs5 billion.

According to PCB press release, around 20 parties showed interest in buying franchises for the league before the first season in the year 2015.

The successive governments have made security arrangements for the players in such a manner that civil and fundamental rights are being continuously abused merely on the basis of apprehensions as the main entrances to the Constitution Avenue surrounding the Serena Hotel are blocked for the simple reason that players of PSL matches have stayed in the hotel. By this way, not only the civic life has been disrupted but official functions of different departments relating to executive, legislation and judiciary have been obstructed.

PSL matches are commercial ventures and conducted in different cities so that tickets may be sold on a large scale and residences of the players are deliberately kept away from the place of their playing. Such kind of entertainment for a special class of people is not affordable for the country like Pakistan where restrictions have already been imposed on kite flying.

He requested the court to issue direction to the authorities for reopening of the closed roads leading to the Constitution Avenue. He also requested the court to direct the district administration and police to devise a security protocol for the players and ensure convenience of the public.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2024