KARACHI: Karachi police on Friday said they had prepared a comprehensive foolproof security and traffic plan in connection with the PSL-6 matches scheduled to commence on February 20 (today) and continue till March 7 in the city.

The plan was devised in a meeting presided over by Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon and attended by relevant stakeholders.

“Overall more than 5,000 personnel of Karachi police will perform security duty during the PSL-6,” according to a police statement.

Around 2,500 personnel of Security Division, including 1,070 SSU commandos are performing security duties along-with Traffic Police, Rapid Response Force, Special Branch, District Police and personnel from other law enforcement agencies at National Stadium Karachi, Karachi Airport, routes, practice grounds, parking areas, hotels and other areas.

DIG Security and Emergency Services Division Maqsood Ahmed said that sharpshooters would also be deployed at sensitive points and a specialised command and control bus will also be stationed at National Stadium to monitor the law and order situation in the surroundings of the stadium.

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team comprising highly trained and well-equipped commandos will be deployed inside and outside the stadium to control any situation.

To beef up security arrangements, aerial surveillance will also be made.

It was pointed out during the meeting that parking points had been allocated for spectators coming to National Stadium where SSU commandos including lady commandos would be deployed for their help. These parking points included Hakeem Said Ground on University Road near Baitul Mukarram Masjid and China Ground adjacent to National Coaching Centre (for VIPs only).

The spectators will be transported from parking points to the stadium and from stadium to parking points via a special shuttle bus service.

Traffic plan

The police spokesperson said that from Hassan Square Flyover/Expo Centre turning (Sir Shah Suleman Road to the stadium) all kind of traffic will not be permitted to proceed towards Stadium Road during match timings.

Traffic will be diverted from the flyover towards University Road to reach its destination. Similarly, National Stadium flyover will be closed for all traffic during the match.

Karsaz (Sharea Faisal): All kinds of small vehicles will be allowed to proceed on Habib Ibrahim Rehmatullah Road towards Stadium signal. Millennium (Rashid Minhas Road): Dalmia Road will remain open for small vehicles from Millennium to Stadium signal.

New Town Chowrangi (University Road): University Road/New Town turning will remain open for small vehicles towards Stadium signal.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2021