Are events such as the PSL Final or Ronaldinho and Friends match helping Pakistan's security image?

[Slog]

Discuss.

I was at the match yesterday. The security was insane. PAK Army was providing the security and there were a few securty checks which one had to go through to get to the ground. In the stadium, the Pak Army had surrounded the whole perimeter of the playing field. And intermittent announcements were made that if anyone tries to invade the pitch or get on the field in some way, the match will be called off.

I was wondering what the foreign players were thinking hearing this because I felt that they were making the security situation look worse than it is (if one didnt know you would think we are in an active war zone or sth)

Even in the PSL Final and the Zimbabwe match in Lahore, I know that they had cordoned off the whole area of the stadium and whatnot and security was very tight as well, with army accompanying the players everywhere.

So the question is are these events helping the security image of Pakistan? Will it convince teams to start touring on a regular basis and without sweeteners (such as $300-600k for each foreign player)

Discuss.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Yes it looked like a warzone and I think it was slightly over the top.You can't take any chances but the amount of security was crazy.

Getting into the ground was quite a hassle.

Don't think it will enhance our security image that much.

 

[Slog]

^

Yes obviously its great to get to watch the game and its fun.

But is it beneficial in the long term and help us achieve what we want from this?

 

[Arham_PakFan]

^

Yes obviously its great to get to watch the game and its fun.

But is it beneficial in the long term and help us achieve what we want from this?

Not really.You'd think foreigners need two commando cars for security everywhere they go.

I kind of wished that the footballers would visit Lyari,it would really give a big boost to all the players there.However that didn't happen.

 

[Slog]

Not really.You'd think foreigners need two commando cars for security everywhere they go.

I kind of wished that the footballers would visit Lyari,it would really give a big boost to all the players there.However that didn't happen.

werent the 2 kids on each side lyari boys?

 

[Arham_PakFan]

werent the 2 kids on each side lyari boys?

Yes,but I mean that there are many others who would have been inspired by seeing legends like Ronaldinho,Giggs and Pires among them.We know the people of Lyari are crazy about football.

It was a brilliant experience for the local lads who were playing.

 

[Varun]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't for Pakistan at this stage.

But for top notch security in Pakistan there is nothing better than the army, even if they have to be relatively stringent.

 

[ExpressPacer]

It would do us a world of good and we've got to start somewhere. Wait another decade and then you start from scratch again. We've built good momentum after the Zimbabwe series, PSL final, Davis cup, this friendly match and experts coming to Pakistan. Things are improving gradually. ICC just announced the World XI touring Pakistan and tourism has been at an all-time high this year for the last 20 years. We need more of this to spread a more positive image.

It's only a matter of time before WI, Ireland, Zim, BD and SRI start touring us again. And then the bigger teams will follow. There's no point in waiting because things aren't going to get any better hereon. The world is becoming a scary place for everyone and I don't expect Pakistan to transform into Utopia.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

What choice does Pakistan have? Rightly or wrongly, Pakistan has an image abroad as a country where terrorism is being bred, never mind being a victim to it. So obviously to attract foreign superstars the security will have to be demonstrably watertight. It doesn't leave a great impression, but how else would you get those people to tour?

 

[Syed1]

Bhai these security checks are needed until we have a period of 2-3 years without a single terrorist incident anywhere in the country. Let me remind you that just last month we lost a 150 people in two attacks in Parachinar and Quetta. Fix that first and then our image will automatically improve.

 

[Asim_khan]

Unfortunately putting 4 unarmed cops in a banged up car infront of the Sri Lankan team bus didn't work, so security has to be OTT.

Plus someone actually tried suicide bombing the Zimbabwe team, the friggin Zimbabwe team, when they were touring. I wonder how the set up of the conversation went. So until a time comes where these psycho's are accounted for, we're gonna have to resemble a war zone with presidential like security

 

[PakLFC]

When you see soldiers everywhere it means the country is not safe. That is the impression any viewer will get.

 

[Badsha]

The whole point of this is to show that Pakistan can host an even because they are capable of providing security not "hey look it's all safe here". We know it's unsafe but we can provide security.

 

[Saeed]

Maybe to some extent but it's a deceiving image. Football greats visiting us without any issue is always a good sign. But if Pakistan has to provide ton of security then it's not safe. Anyways their visit is appreciated. Thanks a lot to these guys for coming to Pakistan and supporting us when we are down.

Agreed with the posts above. When terrorists acts like the ones at Parachinar and Quetta or the incidents like the one at Bahawalpur end, the image of country will automatically improve.