Is it the best strategy to seal the whole city for fool-proof security of a cricket match?

[Gubol123]

Security plan for PSL 2018 final in Karachi revealed

Looks through and well planed even if it sounds like a big hassle to get in. Pakistan, especially Karachi, hasn't see many high profile matches in a decade. So this security hassle shouldn't deter spectators... I hope the people in charge will use some common sense and take care of ladies, children, big families and seniors, who will add color to the games

Take care Karachi PPers and enjoy your big game. I hope it will be a fun filled evening. I may catch some action on the TV if time permits



Sindh police and government officials on Monday unveiled the security and traffic plan for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final, to be played at Karachi's National Stadium on March 25.

Spectators will need to pass through a roughly four-hour-long, three-tier security clearance procedure before they can enter the stadium.

Rangers' Brigadier Shahid explained the security measures which will be in place, and described the process spectators will pass through in order to attend the match:

Ticket holders will report to the specified car parking areas, where there will be six marshalling areas. At the car park, they will undergo the first physical search and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) staff will verify their tickets.

After this, they will approach a shuttle service which will then drop them off at the designated drop zone. There are three drop zones ─ one at Expo Centre, one opposite Bahria University, and a third opposite Aga Khan Hospital.

They will undergo another physical search at the drop zone.

The distance from the drop zone to the stadium gates is about 200-300 metres. Spectators will walk from the drop zone to the gates. Senior citizens and differently-abled spectators will be transported from the drop zones to the gates via buses.

Spectators will undergo a third physical search at the stadium gates.

PCB official Arshad Khan says the board's staff will be on hand to guide visitors to their seats. The stadium can seat about 35,000. Four VIP enclosures will be set up at the venue.

After the match, the crowd will be transported back to the marshalling area via the shuttle service. Spectators were requested to use the same shuttle service and route they came to the drop zone in.


Timings specified by the PCB:

Security clearance is roughly a four-hour-long process
Shuttle service begins, and stadium gates open, at 12pm
Stadium gates close at 5pm, players start moving towards venue
Opening ceremony will take place around 6pm
Match to start around 7pm
Match expected to end around 11pm

The residents of the surrounding areas will be requested not to force traffic police officials or members of the security forces to let them approach the stadium directly, Brigadier Shahid said.

No one is allowed to carry eatables from outside the venue.

A series of PCB-approved vendors will set up food stalls within the car parking area and spectators can purchase food and drinks from there and then go to the stadium. Ambulances will also be present at the parking area in case of a medical emergency, the Rangers official said.

Spectators are permitted to carry their cellphones, but will not be allowed to carry power banks to charge their phones.

"I request you to ensure you have enough power in your phone to last through the match," said Brigadier Shahid.

Security procedures for VIP and VVIP personnel will be communicated to their security officers, he added.

Do:

Carry your cellphone
Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather ─ the stadium does not have a roof
Carry your ticket with you

Don't:

Carry a power bank to charge your cellphone
Carry eatables from outside

The parking areas will be completely secured by Rangers and police personnel.

The deputy commissioner Karachi has asked spectators to carry their tickets with them to the car parking areas, as they will not be permitted to park without tickets.

Spectators will be allowed to park at:

The ground of the Federal Urdu University
Hakeem Saeed park
The space for Sunday Bazaar near Baitul Mukarram Mosque
The Kashmir Complex ground

Traffic and security plans

On the day of the match, some roads surrounding the stadium will be closed for traffic at 11am.

According to the DIG, Rangers personnel will be responsible for the security inside the stadium, while police and other forces will secure the stadium from the outside.

While the match is underway, routes leading to Hassan Square and New Town and the Dalmia road will be closed for traffic.

However, the roads leading to both private hospitals on the Stadium Road will remain open. Sharea Faisal and Shahrah-i-Quaideen will also remain functional throughout.

DIG Traffic Imran Yaqoob Minhas while addressing a press conference said that a total of 8,500 police personnel will be deployed around the stadium for the match.

DIG West Zulfiqar Ali Larik said the South Zone police will be deployed for the security of the hotel where the players are staying.
Rangers stands guard outside the National Cricket Stadium. —AFP

National Stadium Karachi (NSK) last month received an encouraging response for holding the PSL final from the Inter*national Cricket Council’s foreign security consultant Reg Dickason who witnessed a full-dress security-related rehearsal by around 8,000 members of law-enforcement agencies at the venue.

Karachi last hosted an international fixture back in 2009 when Sri Lanka played a Test match before the series was left incomplete after the horrific terror attack on the visiting team during the second Test in Lahore.

The brazen attack halted international cricket contests in Pakistan until 2015 when Zimbabwe visited the country for a short limited-overs series in Lahore. International cricket action gradually started returning to Pakistan last year when Lahore hosted the PSL final in March and a star-studded World XI side for a three-match T20 series in September.

Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah today described the PSL finale is a "major event" for the city of Karachi, and said that all departments are on the same page to ensure it takes place smoothly.


https://www.dawn.com/news/1396265/security-plan-for-psl-2018-final-in-karachi-revealed

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Abay yaar.4 hours?One of my friends will be in a wheelchair...it will be a major hassle.

 

[Syed1]

Why the heck are the parking spots so far???????



Each of the four spots is atleast 2-5km away. Are they going to be running shuttle buses?


Edit: It says in the OP there will be shuttle buses oops

 

[j_kazmi]

4 hours is a bit long. I don’t think it’ll actually take four hours.

 

[Gubol123]

Why the heck are the parking spots so far???????



Each of the four spots is atleast 2-5km away. Are they going to be running shuttle buses?


Edit: It says in the OP there will be shuttle buses oops

It is always a god idea to park further away.. I think MCG also will be doing the same

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-43394764

Some of my friends encountered the same in Germany some years back where the instructions were to park further away from the soccer stadium. Thankfully we had taken train that day. So security concerns are forcing these kinds of changes lot of places..

 

[cricketjoshila]

4 hrs and 5km away parking.

I will never again complain about having to park my car 800mts to 1km from Eden gardens.

Security situation around the world is such.....90s was so much better as a spectator.

 

[CanadianG00se]

So basically fans will spend 12hrs or so for a T20 game

 

[TalhaSyed]

And unfortunately this is why it’s unrealistic to expect PSL or international Cricket to return to Pakistan in the foreseeable future

 

[Darkrai]

I'm not sure whether people would be willing to go through all this trouble just to watch a t20 match.

 

[babajee]

I'm not sure whether people would be willing to go through all this trouble just to watch a t20 match.

You’ll see on Sunday

 

[MachoKhan]

Whats the opening ceremony ? Didnt they already had one? Doesnt make sense man, waste of money,people come to watch the game not ceremony

 

[Kroll]

Why the heck are the parking spots so far???????



Each of the four spots is atleast 2-5km away. Are they going to be running shuttle buses?


Edit: It says in the OP there will be shuttle buses oops

Lahore was like this as well for the SL match. Due to the security protocol, all approach routes were blocked off with access past the perimeter only allowed on displaying nadra card and valid ticket. The shuttle buses would then pick you up. Karachi deploying the same security system it seems.

 

[Rishta Aunty]

All I can say is that this is incredible trouble that Karachi (and Pakistan) are going through to host a single game. And there's no way that I can imagine better security conditions anywhere in the world to host a single match. Really makes me feel even worse about foreign players refusing to make the trip.

 

[Saj]

Why reveal it?
Why make it public?
Why even mention it?

 

[Gubol123]

4 hrs and 5km away parking.

I will never again complain about having to park my car 800mts to 1km from Eden gardens.

Security situation around the world is such.....90s was so much better as a spectator.

I remember in the 90s when I attended a test match in Chennai against Australians.. Getting in was like getting inside a park... No hassle and quality crowd in Chennai.. Same experience in Bangalore an Mumbai. Pune was a bit hassle few years back. Things have changed drastically in the last decade

 

[Gubol123]

Why reveal it?
Why make it public?
Why even mention it?

Public need to be aware of it so that they can make plans while going to stadium. More ever they might be trying to reassure everyone that things are under control. I am sure there are many other security details which are not made public for security reasons.

 

[waleed88]

4 hrs and 5km away parking.

I will never again complain about having to park my car 800mts to 1km from Eden gardens.

Security situation around the world is such.....90s was so much better as a spectator.

National stadium has never had dedicated parking spots.... it is nearby the most central road of in Karachi that is central to most areas of the city - the Sharah e Faisal...

I can only imagine what the traffic situatin will be llike considering even normal times it has so many cars crossing the Stadium road.

 

[Saj]

Public need to be aware of it so that they can make plans while going to stadium. More ever they might be trying to reassure everyone that things are under control. I am sure there are many other security details which are not made public for security reasons.

Parking etc arrangements fine but there is no need to disclose all the rest of the details.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Parking etc arrangements fine but there is no need to disclose all the rest of the details.

Wouldnt the ticket holders be already aware of how to proceed step by step to the stadium? If not then it will be a chaos.

 

[Saj]

Wouldnt the ticket holders be already aware of how to proceed step by step to the stadium? If not then it will be a chaos.

I am referring to security arrangements that the public do not need to know.

 

[Noman]

Parking etc arrangements fine but there is no need to disclose all the rest of the details.

Uber is the solution

 

[KingKhanWC]

You have to give the Pakistani crowd a lot respect for turning up to watch the final with all these precautions in place.

When I have visited Pakistan , I found it to be one of the most unorganised places I've ever been too so I hope this is done well.

 

[JattMaula]

Why disclose how many security personal are deployed?

Why does any civilian needs to know that info?

 

[cricketjoshila]

Why disclose how many security personal are deployed?

Why does any civilian needs to know that info?

The terrorists need to know it. 8500 men is almost a division size. This info may well keep the nutters away.

 

[JattMaula]

The terrorists need to know it. 8500 men is almost a division size. This info may well keep the nutters away.

It may also 'inspire' some nutcase you never know.

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

Omg. Is this for real?

2025 is the year, I see international cricket in Pakistan. No way before that.

 

[Gubol123]

I am referring to security arrangements that the public do not need to know.

I am sure, whatever security arrangements that need to be kept secret would have been kept secret. I would be surprised if any army had such a poor professionalism (I am assuming either Pak Army or Para military forces are taking care of security in Karachi)

 

[Gubol123]

It may also 'inspire' some nutcase you never know.

8500 security men is huge.. very huge to secure of relatively small portion of the city for a relatively short time. Most foreign players will come and go just in time (like previous day and leave end of match day). AIrport, road to hotel, hotel itself, road to stadium and the stadium itself need to be secured. Not everything all the time. So it should be easy.

But what disclosing that number does is that it sends a message that to even host a simple domestic t20 match Pakistan needs 8500 men.. It is understandable to be safer than sorry, but they can keep the number private so that it doesn't generate that uncomfortable feeling

 

[Gubol123]

Omg. Is this for real?

2025 is the year, I see international cricket in Pakistan. No way before that.

Yes for "No drama Tours" that is a realistic date. That is when Pak can expect every team in the FTP willing to come to Pak without creating any drama. Remember Aus and to some extent NZ were not touring long before SL incident. I think it has been close to two decades since Aus toured Pak. Basically Pak cricket lovers never saw some of the modern greatest playing in their country. Infact the greatest test team of our time, 2000 Aussies, never toured Pak. That is just sad

Anyway, by the time the "no drama tours" are feasible, I think pak would have moved a lot closer to "more T20s and very less ODI and Tests" mode. Lets see when we will be able to watch the next great test match between top teams in Pak..

 

[Ahson8]

Uh...was thinking of travelling for one of the WI games, but this doesn’t sound encouraging. Four hours in waiting ?

 

[Josh]

Hope the spectators get to see a good game of cricket after all this hard work.

With such security arrangements required it wouldn't be easy to hold all of PSL in Pakistan next year.

 

[PakLFC]

If these security measures becomes the norm international side won't feel comfortable touring Pakistan.

 

[Savak]

Whose bright idea was it to reveal these security plans in such detail for the terrorists to exploit?

 

[Slog]

Why reveal it?
Why make it public?
Why even mention it?

so that fans coming know what to expect?

 

[Chief Destroyer]

It's the first game back. It should be expected. If everything goes well, it will be toned down over the years.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

This is why I don't understand talks of shifting the PSL, or even one round of matches, back to Pakistan.

What are they going to go through this every day?

 

[Varun]

Sounds like all the drama of spending precious hours getting to the ridiculously located Bangalore airport and doing all the usual airport formalities for a 35-minute, runway to runway flight to Chennai next door.

Just saying - if Pakistan had done this in 2009 they needn't have worried about doing this now.

 

[Madplayer]

It's the first game back. It should be expected. If everything goes well, it will be toned down over the years.

Over the years? thats too soon

 

[kingusama92]

Create security plan. Release it to the media.



Genius.

 

[Gubol123]

Locals bewildered as Lahore gears up for PSL

LAHORE: As the city lights up to welcome Pakistan Super League (PSL) players, the complaints of commuters and residents living near Qaddafi Stadium have started piling up.

While TV programmes blast visuals expressing the enthusiasm of the nation and soldiers take their positions outside the stadium, those living near the venue suffer as a result of the strict security measures.

As part of the security measures for PSL, streets and shops within a radius of approximately three kilometres from Qaddafi Stadium will be closed down. Traffic on Ferozpur Road, starting from Muslim Town to Kalma Chowk and Main Boulevard Gulberg from Hafeez Centre to Kalma Chowk, will be stopped.

Hundreds of thousands of commuters who travel on these two roads on a daily basis will pay the price for the cricket matches. Restaurants, shops and other business activity around Qaddafi Stadium, Liberty Market, Hafeez Centre and Siddique Trade Centre will also be affected, not to mention the residents of areas around Garden Town, Qaddafi Stadium and Barkat Market.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Rahul Khokar, a class-IX student who lives near the stadium, said he was worried as he had to travel to Government Model High School for his exams. He expressed that he did not know how to make it there and back without facing difficulties. Past experiences of the same situation have been very bad, he added. Police officers stationed at checkpoints would not permit them to drive by or pass through entrance points.

Another resident, Laal Maseeh, said that they were restricted to their houses and surrounding streets during PSL. Moving inside or outside the locality became difficult. In vehicles, it became near impossible, he said. “Last time, I was coming back from Gajjumatta, but was made to stop on a picket near Punjab University, he recounted. “I had to wait despite showing them a card that stated that I was a resident of the locality”, he said.

Ramzan Ahmad, who runs a photocopy shop in Hafeez Centre, also expressed anger over the closure of his business. I am a poor man, who will reimburse me for the financial loss I will suffer, he lamented.

Residents also alleged that police carried out search operations in the middle of the night when they would barge into homes and demand to see documentation.

Furthermore, policemen also expressed their annoyance. Constable Nisar Ahmad* said that they had been positioned on duty a day earlier than necessary. It becomes frustrating because we have to be on duty indefinitely, he expressed. Long hours in the sun coupled with unfulfilled needs makes for really unhappy officers, he said.

The Lahore Transport Company (LTC) will launch an exclusive shuttle service free-of-charge for cricket enthusiasts for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Tuesday.

The service, which will operate for two consecutive days, will transport cricket enthusiasts from designated parking spots to the stadium. LTC has appointed 30 air conditioned buses and five air conditioned vans to facilitate the public so that they can travel in a safe shuttle service free-of-cost.

The shuttle service will operate on the following routes for the upcoming match: Liberty to Gaddafi Stadium, Rescue 1122 office Muslim Town Mor to Fifa Gate, Jam-e-Sheerin Park Gulberg to Liberty Roundabout, Boys College Gulberg to Gaddafi Stadium internal loop, as well as Fifa Gate to internal loop of Gaddafi Stadium.

Officials from LTC operations and enforcement wings will be available at various places to assist the general public. In addition, bus sheds under LTC located at Jail Road, Canal Road and Main Boulevard Gulberg, will be colourfully decorated to welcome domestic and international cricket players who are participating in PSL.

*Name has been changed to protect their identity

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1664293/1-locals-bewildered-city-gears-psl/

 

[Syed1]

It's the first game back. It should be expected. If everything goes well, it will be toned down over the years.

Bhai I went to the India - Pak match in which India scored 350 and Rana Naveed was leaving balls in the last over of the chase. The security was not as stringent as this, but it still was substantial and we had to get to the stadium several hours before the match started.


The National Stadium is smack in the middle of the city and the traffic in the area is already too much on a normal day, and then you had 30-40k people descending on that part of town in a short period of time is a logistical and security nightmare.

I for one can understand why they have these exaggerated security arrangements.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Bhai I went to the India - Pak match in which India scored 350 and Rana Naveed was leaving balls in the last over of the chase. The security was not as stringent as this, but it still was substantial and we had to get to the stadium several hours before the match started.


The National Stadium is smack in the middle of the city and the traffic in the area is already too much on a normal day, and then you had 30-40k people descending on that part of town in a short period of time is a logistical and security nightmare.

I for one can understand why they have these exaggerated security arrangements.

They're building another stadium in Bahria, aren't they?

 

[Syed1]

They're building another stadium in Bahria, aren't they?

Yeah - don't expect it to be completed by mid 2019 to early 2020. However, the Bahria stadium will have the same problem as the Dubai stadium that it is so far away from the core of the city that you cannot get there unless you have private transport.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Yeah - don't expect it to be completed by mid 2019 to early 2020. However, the Bahria stadium will have the same problem as the Dubai stadium that it is so far away from the core of the city that you cannot get there unless you have private transport.

It's home though. Everyone living around it is Pakistani.

 

[taxzu]

Yes for "No drama Tours" that is a realistic date. That is when Pak can expect every team in the FTP willing to come to Pak without creating any drama. Remember Aus and to some extent NZ were not touring long before SL incident. I think it has been close to two decades since Aus toured Pak. Basically Pak cricket lovers never saw some of the modern greatest playing in their country. Infact the greatest test team of our time, 2000 Aussies, never toured Pak. That is just sad

Anyway, by the time the "no drama tours" are feasible, I think pak would have moved a lot closer to "more T20s and very less ODI and Tests" mode. Lets see when we will be able to watch the next great test match between top teams in Pak..

You are right. Most of Pakistanis haven't seen modern greats of the game. I had the opportunity to watch the famous Karachi test in stadium and security was not that tight. At the end of day i was able to go near Indian bus and saw legends of cricket pass by me. Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly, Dhoni and yuvraj were just arms length away from me. Best feeling ever.

 

[Abdullah719]

Bhai I went to the India - Pak match in which India scored 350 and Rana Naveed was leaving balls in the last over of the chase. The security was not as stringent as this, but it still was substantial and we had to get to the stadium several hours before the match started.


The National Stadium is smack in the middle of the city and the traffic in the area is already too much on a normal day, and then you had 30-40k people descending on that part of town in a short period of time is a logistical and security nightmare.

I for one can understand why they have these exaggerated security arrangements.

What the hell, every Karachiite on this forum seems to have gone to that match

Agreed that NSK is a logistical nightmare, the area is (or was) usually pretty crowded in general and matchdays are just...

 

[Syed1]

What the hell, every Karachiite on this forum seems to have gone to that match

Agreed that NSK is a logistical nightmare, the area is (or was) usually pretty crowded in general and matchdays are just...

You are a young kid who is a cricket fan and your country's biggest rival is coming to your country after several years and the first match is in your city. You have to be utterly stupid to not go.


When it was built it was on the outskirts of the city and now the city has engulfed it from all sides and expanded far beyond.

 

[CadPakFan]

There telling people to bring their own food! So they won't even sell anything?

 

[rhony]

Why reveal it?
Why make it public?
Why even mention it?

Had the same question. I guess it's because the fans are prepared to go through the ordeal instead of thousands of people asking security personal for directions on game day

 

[rhony]

Sounds like all the drama of spending precious hours getting to the ridiculously located Bangalore airport and doing all the usual airport formalities for a 35-minute, runway to runway flight to Chennai next door.

Just saying - if Pakistan had done this in 2009 they needn't have worried about doing this now.

Pay for 8500 security personal in 2009 u mean? Those are just crazy numbers. Sounds an overkill even for now.

 

[giri26]

There is no need to reveal so much details about security. It is already a known fact that security is extremely tight for cricketers in Pakistan, so not sure why so much of information has to be revealed to public. I understand do's and don'ts and like someone pointed out, parking information etc but few other things mentioned are not required.

 

[Mian]

I am not taking any credit away from PCB or LEAs for organizing PSL matches safely in Pakistan they did a great job and i loved both matches with massive crowd but my question is that is it the best strategy to showcase that Pakistan is safe for foreign players and teams?

They did same during last year PSL, before that during Zim series and now this year PSL. Expecting same kind of strategy when WI tour next month.

For how long we are going to do this and is it enough to convince big teams to tour Pak?

 

[Savak]

Yes it is the best strategy. We should learn the lesson from 2009 never to take anything for granted. Provide foreigners and people with fool proof security at all times.

 

[Mian]

Yes it is the best strategy. We should learn the lesson from 2009 never to take anything for granted. Provide foreigners and people with fool proof security at all times.

What about those living in the city and the issues they have to face when traveling because of this fool proof security?

 

[Gubol123]

it is not the best strategy but the only strategy that PCB has.. But the real strength would be when PSL full goes back to Pak and these cities have to host 5 to 6 matches in few weeks every year. There is no way they can do corner off whole city for weeks together..

 

[Gubol123]

What about those living in the city and the issues they have to face when traveling because of this fool proof security?

temporary inconvenience for the greater good. Although i would be ****ed off it happened to me and my family. Although effective now, this is not a long term strategy

@Mods - there is already a security related thread here http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...y-plan-for-PSL-2018-final-in-Karachi-revealed

May be you can rename the original thread and merge both

 

[Mian]

temporary inconvenience for the greater good. Although i would be ****ed off it happened to me and my family. Although effective now, this is not a long term strategy

@Mods - there is already a security related thread here http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...y-plan-for-PSL-2018-final-in-Karachi-revealed

May be you can rename the original thread and merge both

I saw many lahoris specially the older ones on social media who were ****ed off because they were unable to move and continue their daily routine because of a match.

 

[punter17]

Well, then how would we be able to enjoy cricket?

Fool Proof Security: Take the whole network down, internet down to avoid terrorist attack, Block complete cities, and then flash head lines all over the world that we are a completely safe place to play. A jail or a barricaded stadium should be built for this purpose. The teams should be moved in via helis.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

It isn’t sustainable, that’s the issue

 

[Gubol123]

I saw many lahoris specially the older ones on social media who were ****ed off because they were unable to move and continue their daily routine because of a match.

yeah, i can fully understand. It happens in India when there are some VIPs coming to ground. They block few roads and many stadiums are right in the middle of the city and that ****es off all.. It has become quite rare nowadays. But still it is a big headache and real pain.. But as I said there is no alternative for PCB now. But over a long term this will actually backfire as both the local community and visitors will not appreciate this kind of lock up.. Things will improve over period of time..

 

[Slog]

It isn’t sustainable, that’s the issue

Well that's what will need to happen

By the way.

Even in 2000s before the attacks whole areas (6-7 km radius around stadium) used to be cordoned off for international matches

So it's nothing out of the ordinary.

The security presence is greater now because in 2009 the security cordon was breached. However even then the area was cordoned off

In the Lahore attack cctv video you can see the whole area is closed and it's just a couple of people with guns attacking. It was a security lapse. Not lack of security measures

 

[big_gamer007]

Remember during CWG Delhi how bad traffic situation was.. Can only imagine how bad it must be for people living in Pakistan.

 

[moghul]

Whatever it takes.

 

[pakistan cricket fan]

It was only lockdown from the hotel to GSL 2 hours before the match started thats what i saw today but yes its pretty dificult to sustain this for longer period off time.

 

[Savak]

I fully support this if it results in full scale international cricket coming back to Pakistan, that is the only way for our Cricket and confidence to revive. Enough of playing in the UAE.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

I fully support this if it results in full scale international cricket coming back to Pakistan, that is the only way for our Cricket and confidence to revive. Enough of playing in the UAE.

You can do this for (at most) 2 T20 games in a year but realistically speaking you can't cordon off a city of nearly 20 million everytime we have to host an international - This isn't something that is realistically viable in the long term and I say this as a full fledged supporter of bringing cricket home!

I visited home just recently (Feb 2018) and I can assure you that traffic is murderous even at normal hours of the day! Plus the Staduim road in Karachi has one route going to civic center that connects the Gulshan/ FB Area / Universtiy Road and all the adjoining Abadi. One route is coming via Dalmia and other runs right in fround of Agha Khan University/Hospital connecting PECHS/Sindhi Muslim Society/Shahah-e-Faisal/Defence and Clifton to the Northern part of the city.

So if you cut off Stadium Road for 'X numbers of hours for the Day' you're basically halting and disrupting 60% of the commute in the city because the structure is in the God Damn middle of Karachi. If they really wanna make this work Long term:

(a) Make a Hotel Near Stadium i.e. International Standards
(b) Use Helipads and Choppers

Fellow Karachites please chime in [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] @Sarfaraizan92

 

[Savak]

You can do this for (at most) 2 T20 games in a year but realistically speaking you can't cordon off a city of nearly 20 million everytime we have to host an international - This isn't something that is realistically viable in the long term and I say this as a full fledged supporter of bringing cricket home!

I visited home just recently (Feb 2018) and I can assure you that traffic is murderous even at normal hours of the day! Plus the Staduim road in Karachi has one route going to civic center that connects the Gulshan/ FB Area / Universtiy Road and all the adjoining Abadi. One route is coming via Dalmia and other runs right in fround of Agha Khan University/Hospital connecting PECHS/Sindhi Muslim Society/Shahah-e-Faisal/Defence and Clifton to the Northern part of the city.

So if you cut off Stadium Road for 'X numbers of hours for the Day' you're basically halting and disrupting 60% of the commute in the city because the structure is in the God Damn middle of Karachi. If they really wanna make this work Long term:

(a) Make a Hotel Near Stadium i.e. International Standards
(b) Use Helipads and Choppers

Fellow Karachites please chime in [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] @Sarfaraizan92

Having lived in Canada for 6 years now, everytime i come home to Pakistan especially Karachi i believe the Traffic situation has gotten 10 times worse even in Defence where it is just as busy and hectic as places like Saddar, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Korangi. It feels like the population keeps expanding, the number of vehicles, motor cycles in the country keeps on increasing but very little work on infrastructure development in Karachi and the PPP govt in Sindh.

 

[msb314]

Well that's what will need to happen

By the way.

Even in 2000s before the attacks whole areas (6-7 km radius around stadium) used to be cordoned off for international matches

So it's nothing out of the ordinary.

The security presence is greater now because in 2009 the security cordon was breached. However even then the area was cordoned off

In the Lahore attack cctv video you can see the whole area is closed and it's just a couple of people with guns attacking. It was a security lapse. Not lack of security measures

What is the difference?

 

[Mr.Q]

It might provide the best/highest level of security but the best isn’t always required. At the moment it’s not just about security but convincing those foreign agencies and giving extra confidence to those that visit the country. I’m sure the situation will change after a while.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Having lived in Canada for 6 years now, everytime i come home to Pakistan especially Karachi i believe the Traffic situation has gotten 10 times worse even in Defence where it is just as busy and hectic as places like Saddar, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Korangi. It feels like the population keeps expanding, the number of vehicles, motor cycles in the country keeps on increasing but very little work on infrastructure development in Karachi and the PPP govt in Sindh.

Contrary to the Head Count Report (Mardam Shumari), which was nothing short of a proper joke as I literally work in the same industry (Data Science), Karachi sees IDP and inter city migration almost all year round. This means that after every cycle of 6 moths (That's not even a full fiscal year) we get a percentage increase in population without the means to sustain it due to budget allocation based on these stupid error induced studies done by our incompetent Department of Statistics.

It also doesn't help that PPPP is one of the most corrupt and rishwat khor parties going around in Pakistan with proven history of mismanaging funds and utilizing near to Zero percent on the public interest. All these things coupled with other social issues have crippled Karachi to where it is today in terms of public welfare and infrastructure development.

Additionally, anyone thinking that PTI will all of a sudden turn-up and magically restore Karachi to its former glory is living a fool's paradise! The disconnect between PTI and genuine Karachi born & raised folks (Urdu Speaking/Pathans/Memons/Parisis/Christains/Hindus/Even Karachi Born Punjabis and Sindhis) is as big as anything out there & shoving something down our throats will lead to nothing but friction and another case of a similar MQM being born via some other establishment of state actor! ARE WE LITERALLY NOT GOING TO LEARN ANYTHING FROM HISTORY???!!!!!

In such an environment, holding cricket matches should not be an added headache to the already annoyed residents of Karachi. One or Two games a year is ok - I am all up for it but making this go on for weeks will really **** off a lot of genuinely angry local residents.

 

[PukhtoonZalmay88]

Cant believe that people are already complaining. All these years, we have been dying to bring cricket back to Pakistan and this is for the greater good. Thats what its like when you have to host international players and teams.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Cant believe that people are already complaining. All these years, we have been dying to bring cricket back to Pakistan and this is for the greater good. Thats what its like when you have to host international players and teams.

Are you thoroughly aware of the dynamics of the city in question being discussed by those 'complaining' posters? Or is this some expression of a patriotic viewpoint? because if it's the latter; I will totally understand (respect your opinion) and move on!

 

[Savak]

Contrary to the Head Count Report (Mardam Shumari), which was nothing short of a proper joke as I literally work in the same industry (Data Science), Karachi sees IDP and inter city migration almost all year round. This means that after every cycle of 6 moths (That's not even a full fiscal year) we get a percentage increase in population without the means to sustain it due to budget allocation based on these stupid error induced studies done by our incompetent Department of Statistics.

It also doesn't help that PPPP is one of the most corrupt and rishwat khor parties going around in Pakistan with proven history of mismanaging funds and utilizing near to Zero percent on the public interest. All these things coupled with other social issues have crippled Karachi to where it is today in terms of public welfare and infrastructure development.

Additionally, anyone thinking that PTI will all of a sudden turn-up and magically restore Karachi to its former glory is living a fool's paradise! The disconnect between PTI and genuine Karachi born & raised folks (Urdu Speaking/Pathans/Memons/Parisis/Christains/Hindus/Even Karachi Born Punjabis and Sindhis) is as big as anything out there & shoving something down our throats will lead to nothing but friction and another case of a similar MQM being born via some other establishment of state actor! ARE WE LITERALLY NOT GOING TO LEARN ANYTHING FROM HISTORY???!!!!!

In such an environment, holding cricket matches should not be an added headache to the already annoyed residents of Karachi. One or Two games a year is ok - I am all up for it but making this go on for weeks will really **** off a lot of genuinely angry local residents.

This is Karachi's first international match since 2008. The security measures are justified and understandle. Bringing international cricket back to Pakistan is ultimately about diversifying the playing avenues i.e. Peshawar, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Multan e.t.c.

Heck Karachi has a stadium in Defence and then the Bahria Town stadium itself will be up and running in the next year or two.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Trust is like pigeons. It goes away all at once, but comes back one by one. So whatever it takes.

 

[mmkextreme_1]

I don't understand why the PCB can't build new stadiums and international class hotels at locations that won't cause such problems?

Gaddafi stadium is located in the Gulberg area, one of the main parts of the city. Maybe building another Stadium more towards a "less" populated area could help in this cause. Even with the security measures.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

I personally hope that the stadium in Bahria town is completed soon.The NSK is smackdab in the middle of the city and it's too much trouble for me personally when Karsaz road and the Aga Khan road is blocked.I can't imagine what the sitaution is going to be for the next 10 days.The shops and businesses on Aga Khan road(time medico,McDonalds etc) and the University road/Hasan Square are also going to be shut down on matchday,so it will also affect work.

 

[Vildoc]

Trust is like pigeons. It goes away all at once, but comes back one by one. So whatever it takes.

Nice analogy bro!

 

[Savak]

I don't understand why the PCB can't build new stadiums and international class hotels at locations that won't cause such problems?

Gaddafi stadium is located in the Gulberg area, one of the main parts of the city. Maybe building another Stadium more towards a "less" populated area could help in this cause. Even with the security measures.

New stadiums and international class hotels do not cost pennies. Just to upgrade and renovate the National Staidum after 10 years of decay has cost the PCB billions of Rs.

The private sector in Pakistan has to do its share.

 

[mmkextreme_1]

New stadiums and international class hotels do not cost pennies. Just to upgrade and renovate the National Staidum after 10 years of decay has cost the PCB billions of Rs.

The private sector in Pakistan has to do its share.

I'm sure if the PCB does go the private route and allows people like Malik Riaz (or others, let's keep politics out of this) to build stadiums for them, wouldn't be too much of a problem. Like the one, he's building in Karachi, I'm sure he can build in other parts of the country as well. Or even Mansha or someone.

Heck, allow the provinces to build and manage stadiums (like Australia does I think). That way, if the province wants a match to be played in a particular city then they have to bid and manage the stadium to the modern day requirements.

 

[DeadBall]

You can do this for (at most) 2 T20 games in a year but realistically speaking you can't cordon off a city of nearly 20 million everytime we have to host an international - This isn't something that is realistically viable in the long term and I say this as a full fledged supporter of bringing cricket home!

I visited home just recently (Feb 2018) and I can assure you that traffic is murderous even at normal hours of the day! Plus the Staduim road in Karachi has one route going to civic center that connects the Gulshan/ FB Area / Universtiy Road and all the adjoining Abadi. One route is coming via Dalmia and other runs right in fround of Agha Khan University/Hospital connecting PECHS/Sindhi Muslim Society/Shahah-e-Faisal/Defence and Clifton to the Northern part of the city.

So if you cut off Stadium Road for 'X numbers of hours for the Day' you're basically halting and disrupting 60% of the commute in the city because the structure is in the God Damn middle of Karachi. If they really wanna make this work Long term:

(a) Make a Hotel Near Stadium i.e. International Standards
(b) Use Helipads and Choppers

Fellow Karachites please chime in [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] @Sarfaraizan92

Back when I was in Karachi for a couple of years between 2010 and 2012 most of the city used to be closed due to one reason or the other for a few days a month due to one drama or the other, people got used to it or found a way around it. Always had to have some ration in storage. At least this time it is for something positive.

Also I don't think the helipad/hotel suggestion is relevant as they are probably cordoning the are within a certain radius for security measures for everyone and not just the players. A bomb going off even 3-4 kilometers from the stadium would have the same effect as one a 100 meters from the stadium.