Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday met with the Sri Lankan envoy to Pakistan to review security arrangements for the visiting cricket team in Rawalpindi following yesterday’s deadly blast in Islamabad.
Twelve people were killed and 36 were injured in a suicide blast outside the district and sessions court building in Islamabad’s G-11 area. The incident occurred as international events were being hosted in the capital, including the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference and the 6th Margalla Dialogue, as well as the first ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka being held in Rawalpindi.
Sri Lankan High Commissioner Rear Admiral (R) Fred Seneviratne expressed satisfaction at security arrangements for his national team during a meeting today with Naqvi.
Also present on the occasion were both team managers, PCB Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed, the Islamabad chief commissioner and the Islamabad police chief, according to a press release.
The chief commissioner and police chief provided a detailed briefing on the security measures being taken for the Sri Lankan team.
“The players of the Sri Lankan cricket team are our state guests and all necessary measures have been ensured for their foolproof security,” Naqvi said.
He emphasised that providing a safe environment to the visiting players was the top priority of the government.
The Sri Lankan envoy expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in the attack and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and expressed solidarity with the Pakistani government.
Pertinent to note is that the Sri Lanka team was the victim of a militant attack during a Test match in Lahore in March 2009. The attack left eight people dead, besides injuring seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach.
