RAWALPINDI: Commissioner Rawalpindi, Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah has directed the authorities concerned to make the security arrangements foolproof for Pakistan and New Zealand cricket matches to be played here at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
According to a Commissioner Office spokesman, the Commissioner alongwith Regional Police Officer, Rawalpindi Ahmar Imran presided over a meeting here at the stadium and reviewed all the arrangements for the security of the matches.
The Commissioner said that return of the international cricket matches in the country was very welcome because where they provide entertainment to the citizens, they also show at international level that Pakistan is a peaceful land besides creating positive image of the country.
He further said that foolproof security should be ensured for the successful conduct of the matches and in this regard all the departments including Pakistan Army, ISI, District Administration and Police are committed and to ensure implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
He said that the real stakeholders of the cricket matches are the citizens for whom all these arrangements have been finalized so that they could be facilitated.
He said that all the institutions were committed to provide a pleasant, safe and peaceful environment to the people in general and especially during the matches and all the institutions were working on war footings to ensure the security foolproof. It was also responsibility of the people to cooperate fully with the departments concerned in the national interest and to maintain the best possible discipline so that any kind of untoward incident could be avoided.
Apart from Additional Commissioner, Coordination, Arif Umar, Deputy Commissioner, Rawalpindi, Muhammad Ali, officers of Pakistan Army and Islamabad Administration also attended the meeting.
Briefing on the occasion, the officers informed the Commissioner that with the help of Pakistan Army, intelligence agencies and the Islamabad administration, the district administration of Rawalpindi has completed foolproof security arrangements for the matches.
Three control rooms have been set up besides installation of walk-through gates and CCTV cameras. A NADRA verification counter has also been set up at Allama Iqbal Entry Gate of the stadium. The administration has also ensured elimination of encroachments along the way.
The Commissioner was also informed that City Traffic Police have also finalized all the arrangements for parking facility for the citizens during matches and to regulate traffic on the city roads.
During the matches, the bomb squad of Civil Defense would remain present at the stadium and IESCO would ensure power supply during the matches.
Ambulance and fire brigade vehicles would be available at all the times.