LAHORE: With a request sent to Islamabad for deployment of four companies of the Pakistan (Punjab) Rangers, a five-layer high-grade security plan has been finalised for the PSL final to be held in Lahore.
After marathon meetings with all relevant law-enforcement agencies, the authorities gave on Tuesday final shape to the security measures, declaring an “extraordinary situation” in the provincial capital in view of the cricket match to be held at Qadhafi Stadium on March 5.
Many high-profile guests, including President Mamnoon Hussain are expected to watch the match in the stadium.
Punjab Home Department has sent a request to the federal interior ministry, seeking approval for the deployment of four companies of Rangers in the city.
“For high vigilance, the Pakistan Army, Rangers and Punjab police shall take control of surroundings of Qadhafi Stadium and its adjoining areas a day before the PSL final”, Lahore Capital City Police Officer Amin Wains Told Dawn.
He said a five-layer security plan had been finalised keeping in view the sensitivity of the task and the challenges. He said it was for the first time that such an intensive security plan had been designed for a sports event in the provincial capital.
“We have called 10 senior police officers from the whole province for different duties in connection with the high-security sports event”, the CCPO said. Most of these officers were serving as district police officers (DPOs) who were picked for Lahore security plan in view of their previous experience of working in the provincial capital, he added.
The army would ensure first-hand response to any emergency situation, while the Rangers, police and other law enforcement agencies would follow, he added.
“In addition, the Punjab Constabulary, Dolphin Force, Police Response Unit, Elite Force and personnel from various police stations have been deployed to guard the stadium, all routes, nearby buildings and the roads”, Mr Wains said.
He said the adjoining buildings, including houses and commercial plazas, were being documented as a preventive step to know the identity of the occupants.
“Important duties have been assigned to senior police officers, giving them separate task in connection with the event”, the CCPO said.
Like, he said, Chiniot District Police Officer Mustansar Feroz and Model Town, Lahore, Division SP Ismail Kharrak had been tasked with ensuring inner cordon of the stadium. Mandi Behauddin DPO had been given charge of entry and exit points, the CCPO said.
Lahore Crime Record Officer SSP Imran Yaqub shall supervise the Punjab Police Integrated Command Centre-3 (PPIC3). The PPIC3 SP Mustafa Hameed shall also assist him.
Similarly, Vehari DPO Umar Saeed shall be in charge of Qumi Razakar and Elite Police, while Lahore Operations DIG Dr Haider Ashraf and P.C-5 Commandant SP Haroon shall supervise the Anti-riot Force.
The security of the main cavalcade shall be supervised by Mujahid Squad SP Faisal Shahzad, while Lahore City Division Investigation SP shall look after the security of additional cavalcade.
Gujranwala Civil Lines SP Nadeem Khokhar has been assigned security of President Mamnoon’s cavalcade.
The overall supervision of the cavalcade has been assigned to Attock DPO Zahid Hussain Marwat, while Lahore Admin SSP Rana Ayaz Saleem has been assigned task of overall supervision of the stadium.
To a question about additional arrangements, he said, a shuttle bus service would be available to transport media people to the stadium.
(Daily Dawn)
********