RAWALPINDI: Law enforcement agencies have made elaborate security and traffic arrangements for the Test match between the cricket teams of Australia and Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from March 4 to 8.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Ashfaq Ahmad Khan on Tuesday visited the stadium where he was briefed by City Police Officer (CPO) Omer Saeed Malik about the security arrangements.

The City Traffic Police have chalked out an alternative traffic plan to facilitate citizens with deployment of 350 personnel, including seven deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), 21 inspectors, 235 wardens and 87 traffic assistants. Besides, additional force would be deployed to ensure foolproof security.

As part of the traffic plan, awareness banners have been installed on highways regarding the alternative routes and parking for the convenience of the citizens.

Parking facilities have been provided at three places to facilitate the cricket fans, a traffic police spokesman said, adding the first car parking will be at the Civil Aviation Ground near Rawal Road.

Motorcycles will be parked inside Shaheen Chowk near Rawal Park while the Civil Aviation Ground will also be used as an additional parking space for bikes from where a shuttle service will be operated to the stadium.

Apart from this, another parking would be available at the government college Satellite Town for those coming from Islamabad. It would have entry from 5th Road main gate and exit from Sixth Road’s rear gate.

During the movement of the cricket teams, Murree Road from Faizabad to Double Road will be closed for traffic on both sides. Double Road will remain closed for all kinds of traffic.

Traffic coming from Islamabad will be diverted from Faizabad to Islamabad Expressway while vehicles going to Islamabad from Rawalpindiwill be diverted via Sixth Road. Traffic from Ghousia Chowk will be rerouted to Farooq Azam Road and Kuri Road.

The road from 9th Avenue to Double Road will be closed on both sides while traffic coming from Islamabad from 9th Avenue via Faizabad Expressway and I.J. Principal Road will enter Rawalpindi through Pandora Chowk, Katarian, Carriage Factory, Pirwadhai Mor and Chak Madad.

Chief Traffic Officer Naveed Irshad said in order to facilitate the citizens during the matches and to keep traffic flowing on alternative routes, awareness banners about the alternative routes and parking would be hung on main highways.

Moreover, from time to time information about the traffic situation will be provided through the official social media pages and Radio Station 88.6 of the City Traffic Police.

Park closed

The district administration on Tuesday announced that Allama Iqbal Park in Shamsabad will remain closed during the matches.

Allama Iqbal Park, previously known as Nawaz Sharif Park, is located near the Cricket Stadium on Double Road.

In the morning as well as evening, a good number of people visit the park.

Like many other visitors, Mohammad Munir Kiani was not happy with the closure of the park and wanted authorities to at least open it for morning walks. He said local people had no other facility in the area.

However, when contacted, Parks and Horticultural Authority (PHA) Director General Zaheer Ahmed Jappa said the park was closed as part of security measures for the Australian cricket team.

He said the park would be reopened after conclusion of the Test match.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2022