PESHAWAR, Dec 23: Several roads will remain closed in Peshawar Cantonment and movement of people will be restricted near Qayum Sports Complex from Friday as a part of security plan, chalked out for holding 31st National Games in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani is scheduled to inaugurate national games on Dec 25 in the provincial metropolis. “President Asif Ali Zardari will be chief guest at the concluding ceremony,” officials said.
About the security plan, SSP Ijaz Khan told Dawn that foolproof arrangements had been made by deploying heavy contingents of police around the stadium and at various entry and exit points.
He said that security would be supervised by district police with the help of Frontier Constabulary, Frontier Corps and Pak Army as well.
He said that about 1,700 policemen would be deployed during the national games to check movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
Abid Khan, a traffic police officer, said that at least 65 personnel of traffic police would remain deployed in the first shift and as many in second shift to control traffic.
About the parking lots, he said that for the vehicles of government officials and VIP a piece of land had been specified near the State Bank while the players and other participants would park vehicles at Army Stadium.
The vehicles at Army Stadium, he said, would be allowed only on production of a particular sticker. “A shuttle service will be launched to bring people to sports complex,” he added.
The Bara Road, he said, would be closed from Friday morning at Swato Phattak and the public transport vehicles would have to ply on Ring Road or Canal Road. The filling station near Qayum Stadium will also remain closed till Dec 31.
“All the automobile mechanics and shopkeepers have been strictly directed to avoid encroachment and repair vehicles inside their workshops. In case of parking vehicles on the road strict action against them will be taken,” he said.
The Gulberg Road will remain opened but police will be deployed to check suspected vehicles and pedestrians in the area. The Gulber Chowk will also remain blocked and vehicles coming from the locality will have to turn towards Saddar near PSO filling station.
The light vehicles using Bara Road, the official said, would be allowed to use Mall Road. In case of emergency, public transport vehicles will be also allowed to use the Mall Road.
He said that leaders of the transporters had been taken into confidence and they had assured the government of full cooperation during the national games.
About the residents of Askari Quarters and Super Market, he said that people should keep national identity cards with them during their movement otherwise they would face problems – Dawn
