New Delhi: Pakistan has dismissed over 100 policemen from service after they refused assigned security duties in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy. The cops who were dismissed were associated with different wings on the Punjab Police force.
They were removed from service after being found to have skipped duty multiple times and refusing to perform duties in the Champions Trophy that began on February 19.
“The police officials were assigned to provide security for teams travelling between Qaddafi Stadium Lahore and designated hotels but either remained absent or outright refused to take up their responsibilities,” a Punjab Police official was quoted as saying by PTI.
“There is no room for negligence when it comes to the security of international events,” he said, adding that IGP Punjab Usman Anwar took the matter seriously and ordered stringent action against them.
Local media reports said the cops who refused to work cited exhaustion from long duty hours even though no official communication has been made over the dismissals.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has spoken about reports of potential terror threat during matches of the Champions Trophy, the first mega global event in the country in 29 years.
Speaking to Geo News, Tarar rejected the reports of the terror threat.
“I would like to state on record that Pakistan is peacefully and very ably hosting the ICC Champions Trophy. Our grounds are full, we have fans from all over the world, the crowds are jubilant, our streets are filled with people who are celebrating the victory of cricket,” he said.
Imran sad
Hosts Pakistan are already out of the tournament after demoralising defeats to New Zealand and India that has left former skipper and jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan bitterly saddened.
His sister Aleema Khan said Khan has been upset after Pakistan suffered big losses in karachi to New Zealand and in Dubai to India.
“The PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) founder expressed great sadness over losing the match against India,” Aleema said in Rawalpindi after meeting khan at the Adiala Jail.
Khan led Pakistan to the ODI World Cup title in 1992 and Aleema said he questioned the credentials of Mohsin Naqvi, also a Federal Interior Minister, to lead Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as chairman.
“Imran said cricket will be eventually destroyed when favourites are put in decision-making positions,” she said.
Local media reports suggest over 100 Pakistan cops refused to work cited exhaustion from long duty hours even though no official communication has been made over the dismissals. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
