ahoris face major disruptions every time there’s a cricket tournament happening in the city — thanks, primarily, to the stringent security measures in place for international players. It’s as if the entire city is being held hostage for the duration of the tournament. The ICC Champions Trophy, being played at Gaddafi Stadium till March 9, presents a similar picture.

The worst affected areas are decidedly the roads leading to and from PC Hotel, where the players have been accommodated, to the stadium.

Of course, there’s no denying the cricketing fever for a nation which is crazy about the sport, but when the citizens have to bear with roadblocks and diversions, it doesn’t always sit well. For traders in the vicinity, it’s another struggle. Many are forced to close early.

Muhammad Irfan, a data centre expert at Nespak, tells TNS they have had to change plans for important meetings: “Recently, our core team got badly stuck in a traffic jam on Canal Road. That wasted a lot of our time. Now, we convene meetings only when there’s no match scheduled for the day.”

On match days, there are diversions variously on The Mall, Jail Road, Main Boulevard and Canal Road. Wednesday last, when England played Afghanistan, the police set up barricades and tent walls on several roads.

Ghazi Amanullah, a trader at Auriga, sounds agitated: “Whenever a team movement is due, we’ve to shut shop. Normally, the market is open till midnight, but on match days, we must close as early as at 8pm.”

Amanullah says the police clear out the entire marketplace before the VVIP movement. “It’s obvious that they don’t want to take any chances,” he adds.

The fallout, traders agree, is loss in business.

Amanullah also talks of security measures being discriminatory. “The shops near Liberty [Market] and those on MM Alam Road do not face the same restrictions as Auriga does. Maybe it’s because there are many Pathan traders here.”

Liberty Market and Auriga are among the major shopping centres of Lahore. They also attract buyers from outside the city. Hence, when Main Boulevard and Kalma Chowk are blocked, business suffers.

Amanullah notes that it’s not all hunky-dory for security personnel stationed on the rooftops. “A policeman on duty is supposed to receive Rs 1,700 per diem for food. All they actually get is a naan and potato curry. They aren’t even provided with drinking water. We offer that out of humanity,” he says.

The blockades also affect the residents of the nearby areas. Shakeel Ahmad, who lives near FC College, says their movement is restricted: “People in our area find it nearly impossible to enter or leave their homes. We are constantly told to stay indoors due to security concerns.”

Durre Nayab, a journalist, says, “Cricket is exciting, but getting to the stadium should be part of the fun, not a nightmare. When you are stuck in traffic for long hours, and you use all your driving skills to get through the mess, you wonder if all this is worth it.

“Authorities need to find better ways to manage traffic. Maybe they should introduce dedicated lanes or improve public transport. That way everyone would benefit.”

For fool-proof security

Lahore police have set up strict security for the Champions Trophy. The CCPO has said that hosting the tournament after 29 years is a proud moment for the country. He has also promised fool-proof security for the teams as well as the public inside the stadium.

Twelve SPs, 37 DSPs and 86 SHOs are said to be on duty. Over 8,000 officers, including 678 senior officers and 245 lady constables, are also part of the team. More than 1,100 traffic wardens are out there, manning the roads. Over 1,400 Dolphin Squad officers and 33 Elite Force teams have been deployed. Dolphin Force, Special Protection Unit and Elite Force teams patrol the city.

In and around Gaddafi Stadium, snipers occupy key positions. More cops monitor the stadium, the players’ residences and routes. The Safe City Authority is keeping watch too.

— Ahsan Malik

Ahsan Malik is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship