RAWALPINDI: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Tuesday asserted that the federal government has finalised foolproof security arrangements for Pakistan-Australia cricket matches.
The federal minister expressed his views after reviewing all the arrangements including security here at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Talking to journalists, he said Pak Army, Rawalpindi and Islamabad police and rangers were deployed to make the security foolproof for the series.
“The cricket lovers are very happy on the Australian cricket team’s tour to Pakistan. We welcome the Australian team. It’s a great honor for Pakistani nation and excellent arrangements were made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB),” he added.
He continued, “Best possible arrangements were finalized by the administration to facilitate the teams and the cricket lovers as well.”
“We are giving the Australian cricket team, the protocol of head of state. Some people especially the Indians are not happy with this tour. They did same what they had done during New Zealand tour to Pakistan. However, this time, they failed in their nefarious designs and could not achieve the target,” he added.
Sheikh Rashid said that Pakistani nation loves cricket and the international cricket matches are watched in all areas of the country even far-flung areas. “Australian cricket team would enjoy the hospitality of Pakistanis. Federal and Punjab governments were utilizing all available resources to provide them foolproof security, he added.
Sheikh Rashid informed that Prime Minister Imran Khan had ordered the authorities concerned to construct a modern cricket stadium with five star hotel in Islamabad.
“I have also directed the Capital Development Authority to start work to construct state of the art stadium and a five start hotel on priority basis and the project could be materialized as soon as possible,” he added.
To a question he said, other teams including England would also come to Pakistan. He further informed that foolproof security arrangements were also made for the tour of New Zealand cricket team but, they became the victim of conspiracy of India.
