RAWALPINDI: Police have prepared a foolproof security and contingency plan outlining protocols for working alongside with civic authorities and Special Branch during Sri-Lanka series and tri-nation cricket matches and test match series to be played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket stadium from October 9 to November 13, 2026.
Regional Police Officer Babar Sarfraz Alpa and City Police Officer Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera, CTO Farhan Aslam and SSP Operation Tariq Mehboob on Tuesday visited the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and reviewed the security arrangements.
On the occasion, CPO Sukhera said that around 6,000 policemen, including traffic police and sharpshooters have been deployed, while monitoring is also being done through CCTV cameras of Safe City as a special control room has also been established.
During practice sessions, started on Tuesday, foolproof security has been put in place as the first T-20 match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played on Oct9.
With six matches set to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in just two weeks starting from Oct 9, the police have chalked out a special security and contingency plan to ensure peaceful conduct of the cricket matches as more than 4,050 police personnel, traffic police and additional police squads called from other districts to assist the local police will be deployed.
In line with the security plan, prepared by Rawalpindi police, more than 4,068 police personnel, led by two SSPs, five SPs, 620 Elite Force commandos, 19 teams of Dolphin Force will be deployed to ensure foolproof security.
Besides the district police, as many as 400 police personnel of SPU, which was formed for the protection of foreigners, 300 personnel from Gujrat, 500 personnel from Sheikhupura, 50 Elite Teams specialized highly trained (300 personnel) and 50 snipers have been placed at the disposal of CPO Rawalpindi.
In addition to the police personnel 200 Walkie Talkie sets and 20 police pick up vans have also been placed at the disposal of CPO Rawalpindi.
All the additional police pick up vans and other equipment have been sent to Rawalpindi police.
The additional police contingents called by the CPO Rawalpindi have already arrived in Rawalpindi as special security arrangements have also been put in place around different buildings selected for their accommodation.
Special security arrangements have also been made for flood-lights towers and electric generators and the administration has been directed to ensure their proper working and deploy security personnel around the floodlights towers.
Along the route of the cricket team’s movement from their hotels to the stadium – all link streets will be blocked, police will be deployed at rooftops of buildings, deployment of snipers and police patrolling. Sniffer dogs will also be deployed at different places.
In case of any emergency or any movement during the cricket match, Islamabad International Airport and all the hospitals, including BBH, HFH, PAF hospital and Quaid-i-Azam hospital located near the cricket stadium will be on high alert and a route duty will also be deployed.
Police pickets will also be set up at the metro bus stations starting from Liaquat Bagh to Faizabad during the cricket match whereas the Faizabad, Shamasabad, Rehmanabad and 6th Road bus stations will remain closed.
Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2026
