Security for first one-day discussed

KARACHI, April 16: The local administration promised that strict security measures would be enforced for April 21 day/night oneday international between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium.

A high level meeting of senior government and law enforcing officials was held at the National Stadium Monday admitted that entry of bogus ticket holders cannot be eliminated but stressed measures would be taken to limit instance of such practice.

The previous day/night match between Pakistan and England ended in total chaos and mismanagement as majority of the valid ticket holders were disallowed entry in the stadium. The angry spectators resorted to stone throwing on the adjacent street damaging public property.

Similar was the situation in Lahore and Rawalpindi. In fact, in Rawalpindi, Police resorted to tear-gas which aggravated the situation as spectators destroyed the all-glass arts council building about 200 yards from the Pindi Cricket Stadium. It was also decided that KCCA volunteers would be assigned in various enclosures who will regularly check the tickets and no uniformed policemen will be allowed inside the stands. However, Steel Mill security guards will be stationed at all the gates and will be responsible to check the tickets and ensure entry of ticket holders without hassel.

It was also decided in the meeting that no cars except of the PCB, teams, officials and media would be allowed entry in the vicinity of the stadium. The ticket holders will be allowed to park their vehicles outside the stadium. Traffic police has been briefed on the issue and there will be no problems for the spectators whatsoever.

Meanwhile, organizers of the match said tickets over Rs1million were sold on the opening day Tuesday. They repeated that no tickets would be sold on the match day.

The National Stadium can accommodate 33,500 spectators.