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Can Pakistan sustain such staggering security expenses ($10.3m) for visiting teams and PSLs?

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Lamha Fikaria (point to ponder)

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The provincial kitty incurred expenses of more than Rs2.17 billion (USD 10.3m) for providing security cover to the South African, Australian and New Zealand cricket teams as well as for the 7th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and some internal security measures.

Budget documents reveal that Rs330 million were paid for arranging security lights, tower and wires, fuel for generators, transport for law enforcers, security cameras, walk-through gates, tents, chairs, meals and refreshment etc. with respect to the Australia vs Pakistan cricket series at Lahore.

Under a separate head, at least Rs100 million were consumed for hiring vehicles, fuel, security equipment and logistics arrangements for the same series at Lahore. For similar arrangements for the Rawalpindi test match between the two teams, an amount of Rs50 million was spent.

Buzdar air travel cost exceeded Rs351m earmarked in budget

For 19 matches of the 7th edition of the PSL at Lahore, at least Rs500mn were consumed to arrange generators, lights, vehicle fuel, security equipment and logistics support.

The provincial government also provided Rs30mn to the Rawalpindi district administration for the expenditure incurred on security arrangements during the New Zealand cricket team’s tour and for the National T-20 Tournament 2021 there.

To clear pending liabilities of Lahore district administration in connection with Pakistan-South Africa T-20 series a sum of around Rs110mn was paid. Around Rs66mn were paid as internal security duty claims for deployment of Pakistan Army troops, while over Rs747mn were spent as internal security duty claims for deployment of Pakistan Rangers troops in the province.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1695180
 
Has to be done. No other choice. We should never get complacent ever again after what happened in 2009. We need to program western teams that regardless of bomb blasts, killings, crime on the streets, the security being provided to them is Presidential level which means they are safe. The business of Cricket in Pakistan must go on.

The ideal state of security desired by Westerners in Pakistan will never be achieved therefore they must be programed to come to Pakistan
 
That's a compiled bill over 2 seasons.

Sounds reasonable.
 
Im guessing that there will always be an element of cost incurred for security, transport, cameras and generators.

How much is the increased security bill greater than what would be for 'standard' security?
 
This is horrible piece of journaling where the writer has just written down big expense amounts without providing context or relativity. It would be nice to see how these expenses compare to let's say the expenses of Bangladesh or Sri Lanka cricket board when they host teams.

On the other hand, whatever the cost, we gotta pay for it now to cover up for our mistakes from 2009. That should NVER EVER happen to anyone anywhere in the world
 
We talk a lot about how Pakistan is “safe” now, but our spending on security measures shows otherwise.

There are two possibilities: (1) we don’t believe what we say, we fear that there is always a looming threat of a terrorist attack which is why spend such a huge sum on security.

Or (2) other cricket boards do not take our word and they will refuse to your unless we provide extremely high level security which obviously comes at a cost.

Either way, this is not sustainable.
 
People are saying thats a lot of spend.

I am thinking someone has made a lot of money out of this.

$10.3m bill in a third world country sounds nothing but a scam.
 
We talk a lot about how Pakistan is “safe” now, but our spending on security measures shows otherwise.

There are two possibilities: (1) we don’t believe what we say, we fear that there is always a looming threat of a terrorist attack which is why spend such a huge sum on security.

Or (2) other cricket boards do not take our word and they will refuse to your unless we provide extremely high level security which obviously comes at a cost.

Either way, this is not sustainable.

Yes you are right it is not sustainable in the long run however this is todays reality and the price we have to pay for yesterdays neglect. Hoping that in the future at some point we won't have to spend a lot on security for tours to happen. Fingers crossed.
 
Pakistan's geopolitical position is always going to be a factor in security assessment.

Security has always been an issue in Pakistan even for local citizens.

The concerned department should weigh in regarding what costs more, holding cricket in Pak or UAE.

Playing in Pak has an added benefit that there is legit home advantage and home fans can actually get to attend matches.
 
I think Pakistan had to show security measures to ease tensions. Now that they've successfully hosted many countries and PSL in Pakistan, if and only if they are confident that reducing security will not affect the safety of touring teams they should push for it with the touring boards.

At the end of the day any touring team comes assuming the host country has their sh1t together. If you can convince the touring country's board, security officials of your measures, then it shouldn't be a problem.

But remember all it will take is one small event for things to go back and all these advances will be lost.
 
These are regular operating expenses in Pakistan and none of anyone's business tbh.
 
Clearly our beloved security agencies have minted the situation. They always have. Hence we are a poor country.

Presidential security must come with a hefty price tag?
 
No country will visit Pak unless we provide that level or security. Like it or not if we want visitors then it is mandatory we provide them this level of security. It is this or nothing.
 
10 mils is over two third of broadcast rights income from PSL.

Relative to total PCB income, that security bill is unsustainable.
 
Remember also, that the money PCB makes from hosting tests barely breaks even.

I recall that one of the motivations of moving away from UAE was the high costs of hosting there - hotels, stadium etc. But the security bill has made sure the PCB aren't much better off - financially atleast - at home.
 
10 mils is over two third of broadcast rights income from PSL.

Relative to total PCB income, that security bill is unsustainable.

The PCB aren't paying for it. The govt is and its the govts responsibility to provide security
 
The PCB aren't paying for it. The govt is and its the govts responsibility to provide security

Is that accurate? In India, the police send the bill directly to BCCI who bear the costs. I am pretty sure the local administration in Pakistan send the bill to PCB as well. But if not, then well done to PCB.
 
The PCB aren't paying for it. The govt is and its the govts responsibility to provide security

Why isn't the PCB paying for it? PSL is a private league. Pretty much similar situation with international cricket.

Why are the taxpayers left footing the bill? Why not the franchises? Or the PCB?
 
We talk a lot about how Pakistan is “safe” now, but our spending on security measures shows otherwise.

There are two possibilities: (1) we don’t believe what we say, we fear that there is always a looming threat of a terrorist attack which is why spend such a huge sum on security.

Or (2) other cricket boards do not take our word and they will refuse to your unless we provide extremely high level security which obviously comes at a cost.

Either way, this is not sustainable.

That's easy to say for an Indian fan.

Pakistani fans however will agree it is important to keep other nations touring in Pakistan for domestic development.
 
Why isn't the PCB paying for it? PSL is a private league. Pretty much similar situation with international cricket.

Why are the taxpayers left footing the bill? Why not the franchises? Or the PCB?

Its a joint effort to promote the image of Pakistan.
 
Presidential security must come with a hefty price tag?

Yeah but each of these Pakistani personnel involved was paid wages in Pak rupees.

This bill is just way too high. Its similar to our defence budget which way too high and we actually pay for the luxurious lifestyles of our high ranked law enforcers and protectors.
 
Why isn't the PCB paying for it? PSL is a private league. Pretty much similar situation with international cricket.

Why are the taxpayers left footing the bill? Why not the franchises? Or the PCB?

Security provided by the govt forces ie police, rangers, swat, army is always funded with tax payers money world wide.
 
ICC CEO Geoff Allardice:

"The fans in Pakistan are passionate about the game and passionate about their team, but most importantly they are welcoming of visitors"

"I have always had great experiences when I have travelled to Pakistan and I have been to see a few series over the last few years and the welcome is always very warm."

"Pakistan is one of the strongest cricketing countries in the ICC membership"

"To have series like this taking place and fans travelling to Pakistan and New Zealand starting in a few days time for their Test series as well is a huge step forward to getting cricket back in Pakistan on a regular basis"
 
Maybe the state and the national security apparatus should have paid attention to the elements threatening foreign cricket teams and keeping Pakistan isolated on the global stage when these elements first rose up over 40 years ago but everyone turned a blind eye to them because initially they were only killing Shias. Who is responsible for depriving Pakistan of a tourism and outsourcing industries? I'll stick to the economic value lost because nobody cares about the Shias and I can assure my fellow compatriots the economic value lost has been far greater than $10.3M.
 
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