Lahore, Feb 4 (PTI) – The Pakistan Army and Rangers will be deployed in Lahore starting Wednesday to ensure stringent security measures for the visiting international cricket teams ahead of the upcoming tri-nation series. The move coincides with a protest planned by the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on February 8.
A spokesperson for the Federal Interior Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that the ministry has sanctioned the deployment of army and Rangers to safeguard the New Zealand and South Africa cricket teams, who are set to play in the tri-nation series between February 5 and 10 in Lahore.
Khan, 72, has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since mid-2023 in connection with multiple cases. His party has been in ongoing conflict with the federal government since the general elections in February 2024. PTI has declared February 8 as a ‘Black Day’ in protest of what it claims was a stolen mandate in the elections. The party has announced a rally at the historic Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on the same day.
In addition to the deployment of army and Rangers, Punjab police personnel will also be stationed to ensure the security of the foreign teams. “No compromise will be made on the security of visiting teams,” the spokesperson assured.
The tri-nation cricket matches will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium between February 8 and 10, before moving to Karachi from February 12 to 14.
While the government has not granted PTI official permission for the protest rally, the party has vowed to proceed regardless. The decision to hold demonstrations follows a breakdown in talks with the government after PTI's demand to establish judicial commissions to investigate the incidents of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, was not met.
With heightened security measures in place and a major political protest looming, Lahore braces for a tense week as sports and politics intersect in the city.
A spokesperson for the Federal Interior Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that the ministry has sanctioned the deployment of army and Rangers to safeguard the New Zealand and South Africa cricket teams, who are set to play in the tri-nation series between February 5 and 10 in Lahore.
Khan, 72, has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since mid-2023 in connection with multiple cases. His party has been in ongoing conflict with the federal government since the general elections in February 2024. PTI has declared February 8 as a ‘Black Day’ in protest of what it claims was a stolen mandate in the elections. The party has announced a rally at the historic Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on the same day.
In addition to the deployment of army and Rangers, Punjab police personnel will also be stationed to ensure the security of the foreign teams. “No compromise will be made on the security of visiting teams,” the spokesperson assured.
The tri-nation cricket matches will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium between February 8 and 10, before moving to Karachi from February 12 to 14.
While the government has not granted PTI official permission for the protest rally, the party has vowed to proceed regardless. The decision to hold demonstrations follows a breakdown in talks with the government after PTI's demand to establish judicial commissions to investigate the incidents of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, was not met.
With heightened security measures in place and a major political protest looming, Lahore braces for a tense week as sports and politics intersect in the city.
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