Following a series of bomb blasts in Islamabad, the Pakistan government—acting on the intervention of Army Chief Asim Munir—has assigned the country’s military forces to provide security to the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team. Pakistan’s Home Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the guest team is now being given state-level security, with the police, army, and rangers jointly responsible for their protection.
Speaking to the media on Thursday night at the Rawalpindi Stadium, where he met Sri Lankan players, Naqvi said that the Sri Lankan government and cricket board have shown strong support by continuing the tour. He revealed that after the terrorist attack in Islamabad, some Sri Lankan players had expressed the desire to return home due to security concerns.
“Positive outcomes were achieved only because of continuous communication between the top leadership of Pakistan and Sri Lanka,” Naqvi said. He also confirmed that Army Chief Asim Munir personally assured Sri Lankan Defence Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon about the team’s safety.
“The Field Marshal himself spoke to Sri Lanka’s Defence Minister and Defence Secretary. I am grateful to the players for showing great courage by deciding to stay in Pakistan,” he added.
Naqvi noted that he personally held a long meeting with the Sri Lankan players to reassure them that ensuring their safety is the Pakistan government’s top responsibility.
It is worth mentioning that New Zealand had previously cancelled their Test tour of Pakistan in September 2021 after receiving credible information regarding security threats in Rawalpindi.
