The preparations for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore on 5 March are in full swing. While the fans are eagerly waiting for the cricket to return home, there is a flip-side to the situation. The extensive security arrangements for the PSL Final has resulted in the closure of surrounding markets and roads, which has created hurdles for the people of Lahore.
Reports suggest that different private schools across the city will remain closed on Friday and Saturday in connection with the security measures in place for the match. All the branches of Lahore Grammar School, Beaconhouse, LACAS, Allied Schools, Educators, American Lycetuff were to remain closed on Friday according to the reports. Many schools in Defence Housing Society were even closed on Thursday, citing security reasons, especially following a blast in Z-block DHA which had claimed 10 lives. Meanwhile, Punjab Schools Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad held a meeting with the representatives of public and private sector schools. The school education department told the meeting that all heads of public and private schools had been issued directions to make the security of their institutions ‘foolproof’ to cope with any untoward situation. A participant in the meeting told media that the minister did not openly direct them to close schools on Friday in connection with the PSL final but it was evident from the fact that the school guards were not trained to fight any terrorist threat. Hence, they had to make a call themselves. Other than the arrangements for the PSL Final, the attendance in most private schools has reduced considerably since the recent terror acts in the city.
“In such a scenario when the government is neither asking us to close schools nor providing the better security we have to observe the holiday in connection with PSL-like events,” a representative of private schools association told reporters. Given the enormity of Pakistan’s passion towards cricket and the starvation since the 2009 attacks on Sri Lankan team, the decision to hold PSL Final in Lahore must be appreciated. Although it is a bold move considering the recent uptick in violence across the country, the people of the country still deserve to watch their own league at home, and the best security arrangements should be in place to successfully conduct the final. Zimbabwe had visited Pakistan in the mid of 2015 for a limited-overseries, but the event didn’t make any headway in reviving the international cricket in the country. Although certain political parties have criticised the decision to hold the final in Lahore with tight security, there should be a calm approach towards the issue now that it has been finalised. Continuous criticism will only harm the confidence of the international community. Although the scenario might be a little different in Pakistan’s case, there have been examples where major global cities were shut down for global events like the London Olympics in 2012. But this doesn’t justify the closure of schools and other businesses across the city. Although occasionalevents can be accommodated, the inconvenience caused by the excessive security should not become a norm in the country facing the problem of terrorism.
