Enhanced security measures in place for ICC Champions Trophy in Lahore

LAHORE: Lahore police have finalised comprehensive security arrangements for the ICC Champions Trophy as Australia and England face each other for the fourth match of the tournament which will take place in Gaddafi Stadium today.

According to CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana a total of 12 SPs, 37 DSPs, and 86 SHOs will be deployed to ensure security during the tournament. More than 8,000 officers and personnel will also be on duty throughout the matches.

Additionally, over 1,100 traffic wardens will manage traffic flow, while 1,400 Dolphin Squad personnel and 33 Elite Force teams will also be deployed.

Kamyana also said that hosting an ICC event in Pakistan after 29 years is a positive development and assured that Lahore police are fully committed to implementing a comprehensive security plan for the Champions Trophy matches.

Punjab increases search and combing operations ahead of major sports events

Lahore also hosted the opener of tri-nation series last week which had Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand play against each other.

Earlier this month, an opening ceremony of newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium was attended by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, former PCB chairmen Najam Sethi and Zaka Ashraf, national cricket team players, and other dignitaries. 

The PM had lauded the PCB and Punjab government for working as a team to complete the project: “Our national cricket team has performed exceptionally well in recent months, winning the hearts of the nation. We are all praying for their success in the Champions Trophy,” Shehbaz had said. 

On February 7, IG Punjab Usman Anwar had ordered an increase in search and combing operations across the province, and the security forces carried out 427 search and combing operations. As per the spokesperson of Punjab police 17,207 people were questioned, and 60 wanted criminals were arrested during the operations. On January 12,128 search and combing operations were carried out across Punjab, including Lahore with 449,000 questioned.

The first match of the tournament in Karachi saw Pakistan lose to New Zealand while Bangladesh lost to India in the second match held in Dubai. The third match yesterday delivered a victory to South Africa against a very fiery Afghanistan. ICC Champions Trophy is the first international cricket event to be held in Pakistan after a hiatus of 29 years, although India still refrained from participating despite Pakistan’s participation amid security risks in the ICC World Cup of 2023.