RAWALPINDI: A security and discipline unit has been established by the police to ensure prompt deployment of personnel to their designated points and the protection of police officials during the May 30 cricket match between Australia and Pakistan at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

According to sources, the purpose of setting up the unit was to ensure the security of the police force in the prevailing security situation. The special unit will keep a close cordon around the police force during its transportation, departure and gathering.

Police officers and officials’ biometric attendance will be checked and those found absent or arriving late will be noted and brought under the notice of the city police officer, the SSP operations and the central control room.

The security and discipline unit has been divided into four zones, headed by Inspector Luqman Pasha and assisted by ASI Mohammad Irfan and each consisting of two constables.

The special unit will directly report to the SSP operations. “The security of police personnel should be given top priority,” a senior police official said.

Police vehicles should be parked in a more secure place and not without their drivers. Police gunmen will be guarding the police force while dropping them at the duty points.

“In light of the current security situation and terrorist attacks, it is critical to make police force security foolproof during their movements by closely adhering to SOP,” a senior police officer said, adding the police have been on high alert.

Meanwhile, more than 3,500 police and 300 traffic personnel have been deployed to ensure security and smooth flow of traffic during the practice sessions of the two teams.

A separate security plan with deployment of more than 5,000 police will put in place for the first ODI cricket match on May 30.

An advance security team from Australia, who earlier arrived in Islamabad, visited the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to review the security arrangements.

During the practice sessions, senior officers have been checking and briefing the security force on the field, while police station mobiles, Elite and Dolphin Squads are patrolling around the stadium.

For the second day of the five-day practice session, as per the instructions of CPO Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani, effective security and traffic arrangements were made with the deployment of more than 3,500 officers of Rawalpindi police.

Additional personnel have also been deployed at important and public places. Special surveillance of bus stands and hotels is also being carried out.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2026