The Karachi attack and security implications on PSL 8

[MenInG]

May Allah keep our security forces safe but the ongoing attack in Karachi on the Police building is a matter of concern for safety of players involved in PSL.

The next 24 hours will be crucial in this regard.

The next game, Match 6 is in Karachi tomorrow. The effected building is on Sharae Faisal and on the route to the stadium.

 

[MenInG]

According to media reports, QG and LQ teams had to delay their departure from NBA due to the attack but are making their way back to their hotels

 

[ritzy_123]

They're all dead operation is complete now as per Bol News.

 

[MenInG]

They're all dead operation is complete now as per Bol News.

Questions will be asked - if the police building can be attacked like this!?

 

[ritzy_123]

Questions will be asked - if the police building can be attacked like this!?

You're right very questionable

 

[MenInG]

Security forces clear Karachi police chief’s building on Sharea Faisal, 3 terrorists killed


==

The office of the Karachi police chief, which came under attack on Friday evening by armed militants, has been cleared, officials said, adding that at least three terrorists had been killed.

“I can so far confirm that the Karachi Police Office (KPO) building has been cleared. Three terrorists have been neutralised,” said Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab on Twitter at 10:42pm, three-and-a-half hours after the attack occurred.

 

[Savak]

Need to further beef up security for the PSL.

 

[MenInG]

As per a media report

An emergency meeting was called by the PCB which was attended by franchise representatives and after consultation with security agencies and the provincial government, it was agreed to continue with the ongoing edition of PSL as per schedule in Karachi.

 

[Savak]

As per a media report

An emergency meeting was called by the PCB which was attended by franchise representatives and after consultation with security agencies and the provincial government, it was agreed to continue with the ongoing edition of PSL as per schedule in Karachi.

They should have announced that they were further beefing up security around the teams.

 

[Bewal Express]

IA every stays safe and PSL continues without a problem because a cancellation would put us back by 10 years

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Just move the Karachi games to Quetta, you’ll get bomb attacks there too but you’ll also get a better turn out.

 

[Kianig89]

Walking on thin ice, it is The PDM probably has other priorities very shameful

 

[JattMaula]

Pakistan has earned back hard won trust. It will help from immediate overreactions.

But attack in Karachi, that too in a police building is extremely concerning. It does what terrorist want. It terrorises the heart and sows a doubt in heart. "What if I'm next?"

 

[MenInG]

They should have announced that they were further beefing up security around the teams.

Think they have but they will not mention such stuff in public.

1. Unnecessary Op info
2. Makes players nervous

 

[MenInG]

The remaining HBL Pakistan Super League matches to be held here will proceed as per schedule despite the terrorist attack on the Karachi Police Office on Friday evening, Dawn has learnt.

According to a source in the Pakistan Cricket Board, the players of the franchise sides currently staying in the city “continue to enjoy the presidential level of security” provided to them.

The source added that the attack being an “isolated incident and unrelated to the PSL” did not impact the fate of the tournament’s eighth edition, which is being held across four venues this season.

PSL sides Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators conducted practice sessions here at the National Stadium on Friday.

According to the PCB source, the Islamabad United squad flew from Karachi to Multan on Friday, while the Peshawar Zalmi squad was scheduled to arrive in the metropolis later in the night.

DAWN

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Thankfully, our chairman has reassured us that the TTP won’t attack the PSL, and will only target the states security establishment. The coward chairman has now deleted his tweet.

Embarrassing. Najam Sethi is an embarrassment.

 

[MenInG]

The Pakistan Cricket Board has said the HBL Pakistan Super League 8 will continue as planned with both Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators to field full-strength sides later today at the National Bank Cricket Arena. The toss will take place at 6.30pm, with the first ball to be bowled at 7pm.

PCB Chairman Najam Sethi: “The HBL PSL 8 will continue as planned after it has been established and confirmed that Friday’s incident was an isolated one, which was unrelated to cricket. We have been working very closely with all stakeholders, including the local and foreign security experts, who have provided assurances and comfort that the event can proceed as there was no threat to cricket.

“The PCB takes the safety and security of all those involved in the HBL PSL 8 very seriously. To ensure no stone is left unturned, Presidential-level security has been provided to the teams and officials. These unprecedented arrangements are similar to what were in place for international matches that have been highly praised and appreciated by the visiting teams and officials.

“The PCB remains committed to providing complete safety and security to all the participants and, as always, will continue to work very closely with the security experts and law enforcing agencies to ensure the players and officials are comfortable and being well looked after so that they can enjoy their stay in Pakistan and continue to entertain the fans and followers with their cricketing skills and talent.”

 

[sam_ahm]

Irrespective of the cricket, it is very sad to hear about such terrorist attacks. Hope Pakistan takes the required steps to maintain safety of all people.

 

[Local.Dada]

Terrorists cannot and should not break the spirit of people so the game should go on but how can you beef up or upgrade a presidential level security? I thought presidential security was already supposed to be highest form of security anyways.

 

[sweep_shot]

Karachi attack shouldn't impact PSL.

Violent incidents can happen anywhere in the world. In USA, there has been 70+ mass shootings so far this year. That didn't stop any game.

 

[Arabian_Tiger]

Thankfully, our chairman has reassured us that the TTP won’t attack the PSL, and will only target the states security establishment. The coward chairman has now deleted his tweet.

Embarrassing. Najam Sethi is an embarrassment.

Another Gem of Najam Sethi would be TTP wont attack the PSL, and will only target innocent ppl and everything else in PAKISTAN.

He must be having good ties with TTP so he got the assurance from TTP.

 

[Bewal Express]

The security needs to be stepped up everywhere and we can debate the reasons why PK suddenly seems to be under attack but we have a big army and lots of police and check points and intelligence led policing should be the order of the day. For a start 100s of police vehicles and policeman that are at Zaman Park every night could be better employed rather being used as pawns for NSs desires

 

[Bewal Express]

Another Gem of Najam Sethi would be TTP wont attack the PSL, and will only target innocent ppl and everything else in PAKISTAN.

He must be having good ties with TTP so he got the assurance from TTP.

It makes you think about what is going on with these morons and what they know.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Another Gem of Najam Sethi would be TTP wont attack the PSL, and will only target innocent ppl and everything else in PAKISTAN.

He must be having good ties with TTP so he got the assurance from TTP.

The guy has the audacity to label IK as “Taliban Khan” then acts as if he’s the spokesperson for TTP.

The quicker he’s removed from the chairmanship, the better.

 

[Bewal Express]

It shows why you shouldnt put idiots like Sethi in charge of walking a dog, never mind a national event. Another criminal Lifafa clown in a long line of clowns that we have seen in the last 10 months.

 

[Savak]

People must show more respect to Sethi and not diss the father of PSL. His predecessors badly mismanaged the product but he upon his comeback organized the best opening ceremony in PSL history and also convinced the franchises to contribute towards the marketing budget of the PSL from $100,000 to $1,000,000.

You cannot get complacent about the brand otherwise it becomes stagnant, you must always strive to enhance and make it better.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

People must show more respect to Sethi and not diss the father of PSL. His predecessors badly mismanaged the product but he upon his comeback organized the best opening ceremony in PSL history and also convinced the franchises to contribute towards the marketing budget of the PSL from $100,000 to $1,000,000.

You cannot get complacent about the brand otherwise it becomes stagnant, you must always strive to enhance and make it better.

You’re literally complaining in every match thread regarding unsold tickets.

 

[Savak]

You’re literally complaining in every match thread regarding unsold tickets.

Sethi could have shown more flexibility regarding ticket prices but I get his point regarding the fact that the PCB and the Franchises have to charge a minimum amount in order to make the PSL product a premium product. The PCB expenses have also gone up given the economic situation in the country. I would have liked sold out crowds for all the games but still the attendance on avg has been 70-80% for most games

In the West, kids ie minors, students, seniors get discounted rates whereas the adults ie non students adults above 18 to 60 have to pay full prices. Maybe the PCB should consider things like offer a family ticket deal where a family can buy one ticket which covers the kids, adults and also includes meal vouchers in exchange for one big significant discounted price.

The PCB can offer a PSL membership card to the fans which gives them the right to attend the matches of their choosing all over Pakistan ie Rs 100 per game and a significant discount on food purchases.

These things require out of the box brainstorming but can be done.

 

[Bewal Express]

The thing is that people like Sethi live in the echo chamber of PDM Govt and their stupidity is often ignored but when they are on the World stage and their words could have catastrophic consequences, they dont have the intellectual capacity to think through when they are saying. IA everyone stays safe but this idiot needs to go. An unforgivable error

 

[MenInG]

The Punjab caretaker government on Monday reviewed security arrangements for Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches to be played in Lahore and Rawalpindi.

A meeting presided over by caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi reviewed the security arrangements made for the PSL matches in the two cities, directing the authorities concerned to link the Rawalpindi cameras with Lahore’s Safe Cities Authority to enhance security cover for the sports events.

It ordered that a four-tier fence should be in place to ensure foolproof security for the matches in Lahore and Rawalpindi, besides ensuring security on the routes of the teams, avoiding long traffic stoppages on the roads.

“An effective publicity campaign should be launched to keep the citizens aware of the alternative routes during the movement of the teams. All departments concerned should maintain good coordination in this regard,” a statement issued after the meeting says.


A parking facility will be provided for the visitors at Gulberg College in Lahore and a shuttle service will run from the college to the Qaddafi Stadium for the disabled and the elderly. Arrangements are being made to install lights along the entire route of the teams and around the stadium.

The teams route will be monitored with the help of 160 cameras in Rawalpindi. The matches in Lahore will start from Feb 26.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2023