Student Volunteers Join 6,000-Strong Security for Tri-Series Final

Key Points:

More than 6,000 police officers and personnel performed security duties for the Pakistan-Sri Lanka tri-series final at Gaddafi Stadium
University and college students served as police volunteers outside a stadium for the first time
A four-tier security cordon protected players and fans, with 166 women police personnel also on duty
DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran also held his open court and ordered action on citizens’ complaints

LAHORE: For the first time, university and college students stood guard as police volunteers outside Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday as more than 6,000 police personnel secured the Pakistan-Sri Lanka tri-series final, police said.

Police said foolproof security arrangements had been completed at the stadium and in its surroundings, with a four-tier cordon thrown around Gaddafi Stadium for the protection of players and fans.

University and college students were deployed outside the stadium as police volunteers for the first time in history. The students guided arriving fans and assisted police personnel for the convenience of citizens.

A total of 166 women police personnel also performed security duty, while heavy contingents were posted at the stadium’s entry and exit routes.

Student police volunteer checks a fan's bag at a walk-through gate outside Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. — Student police volunteer checks a fan’s bag at a walk-through gate outside Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Student volunteers on duty outside Gaddafi Stadium, guiding fans arriving for the tri-series final.

Police officers, including a woman officer, review security arrangements near Gaddafi Stadium.

A senior police officer briefs personnel deployed along the screening fence outside the stadium.

Armed police personnel stand guard at the barbed-wire cordon around Gaddafi Stadium.

Teams of the Dolphin Squad, the Police Response Unit and the Elite Force also performed security duties. Special arrangements were made on the routes used by the teams, while patrolling and strict surveillance continued around the stadium.

Special arrangements were also made for the checking and searching of fans at the entry points.

DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran said international sports events reflected the honour and positive image of Pakistan. He said providing a safe environment to international players and fans was the top priority of Lahore police.

Personnel of Lahore police were ever ready to protect events linked with the national honour, he added.

Providing a safe environment to international players and fans was the top priority of Lahore police.

He said Lahore police personnel remained alert on every front to keep the vibrancy of sports alive. He urged cricket fans to cooperate with the security personnel.

Open Court Held Despite Match Security Duties

Despite the match security duties, the DIG Operations also held his open court in Lahore and heard citizens’ complaints. Citizens termed the open court a source of immediate redress and effective legal assistance.

A man brought a complaint to the open court alleging that his former wife had sold their minor daughter. The DIG ordered the station house officer of Nolakha police station to take action within seven days in the light of the complete facts.

An elderly woman who arrived in a wheelchair complained that her own son had subjected her to threats and violence. The DIG ordered the station house officer of Shahdara Town to provide her protection and take action.

DIG Orders Action in Alleged OLX Car Fraud Complaint

The DIG said no leniency would be shown in incidents involving the protection of women and harassment. He issued special instructions to station house officers for the timely resolution of inheritance disputes and the maintenance of law and order.

He said providing justice, protection and timely legal guidance to citizens was the foremost responsibility of Lahore police.

He said he personally heard public problems at the open court six days a week from 1pm to 3pm and held the open court on Facebook Live at 12 noon on Sundays.

He said citizens whose complaints were not acted upon at a police station should inform him directly. Negligence or delay in citizens’ complaints would not be tolerated and the officers concerned would be answerable, he said.