Raja Javed Ali Bhatti
Success of PSL and sporting events must be highlighted Pakistan as safe country for sports and tourism. Pakistan is such a huge country, which comprises countless different regions, ethnicities, and sub-cultures, that it would be a big mistake to consider it as a whole. At first glance, the Pakistan Super League comes off as just another generic, regular, run-off-the-mill sports league where batsmen bat, bowlers bowl and fielders field. So what’s new here? Superficially … nothing. Even it’s name isn’t unique as at least three other sports leagues have called themselves PSL. PSL stadia are one of the few ones where there is still some semblance of balance between bowlers and batsmen. The latter do not, or cannot, bully the former in PSL every single time. The PSL, for Pakistan, is not just another sports league. It’s much more than that.The claim can be justified by the fact that when PSL runs into problems, the directions and leadership can even come from the top-most echelon of the hierarchy: the PM House. To handle security, even the top brass of the army gets involved – that’s how important this seemingly insignificant 20-over competition is to this country. From a news standpoint even, on the day of PSL final, the PSL final is all that matters. No politicians climb up their containers, no courts binge on suo motus and no clerics issue edicts. The PSL final blows its local newsmakers out of water, which is something far bigger competitions cannot manage.For this reason, I decided to write an analysis which, from a traveling perspective, will show you what the situation is nowadays for travelers going to Pakistan, including which regions are safe and why they are, plus a couple of extra tips which, hopefully, will help you to stay safe during your visit in Pakistan. The coverage needs to portray peace and fun loving society which is far from its negative image of extremism.Pakistan has many triumphs to its credit in sports and was regarded as potent sporting nation. Be it Cricket, Squash, Snooker, Hockey or Athletics, Pakistan has been at the top of the game. However, decades of war against terrorism and corrupt political environment has led to a decay in this field. Cricket which has been kept alive by Pakistan by playing home series abroad is now slowly returning back home. Pakistan has come out of two decades of terrorism successfully. Every time the Western media talks about Pakistan, it is not to show you how great its Himalayan mountains are. Instead, they only mention it when something really awful is going on and, by awful, I mean any negative event caused. Global Peace Index ranks Pakistan as the 153rd safest country. I know, it is not a very good mark but still, take a look at the ranking table and you will see that it is still better than Russia and just below Turkey and Ukraine. And, most importantly, so far, there aren’t any reports from tourists who got into trouble during their visit. That’s what the media doesn’t tell us. The security conditions are back to normal and sports is back in country. PSL explains the fact that how a peace and sport loving nation has been victim of negative image. The flooded stadiums with people from all tiers of society have joined hands to relay a silent message to the world that Pakistan has always been a sporting nation and still is. The inclusion of international players in PSL also highlights how much Pakistanis adore their presence and accepts them as ambassadors of Pakistan. Recently held Kabaddi WC also saw numerous international teams from various continents converging in Pakistan to mark a successful event. On other hand India has been acting a sport spoiler and refusing visas to Pakistani players for various events, moreover still refuses to play Pakistan directly. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hailed the contribution of Rawalpindi and Islamabad fans, local and provincial administrations and the security agencies in making HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 a resounding success in its homecoming edition. The PCB also paid tribute to the Pindi Cricket Stadium ground staff, terming them as part of the eighth team of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020. Over 100,000 spectators attended the HBL Pakistan Super League matches at the 17,000-capacity Pindi Cricket Stadium. This is after approximately 80,000 fans had watched live action at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Crowd response in Lahore and Karachi has been equally overwhelming. In Lahore, to date, the average crowd attendances have remained at around 80 per cent, while the first four matches in Karachi have seen attendances breaking the 90 per cent barrier. PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer said, “We owe a big thanks to the cricket fans and followers of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad who turned up in a big number to play their part in the success of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020. “We govern the game for the people of Pakistan, so in this background we were delighted to see the fans have a great time, celebrate the regular resumption of cricket activities and support the Pakistan Cricket Board”, he said. “The fans’ contribution has not only motivated and inspired the players to show their best performances, but has also helped Pakistan to showcase its values, culture and passion through our world-class broadcast, positive media and proactive social media coverage”, he said. “There have been games in which weather has not been cricket-friendly, but the fans have remained patient and loyal, which is another hallmark of this great nation”,Salman Naseer said. He had special praise for the ground staff, “After the six participating sides and the match officials, ground staff are the eighth team in the tournament. Pindi Cricket Stadium ground staff were the real heroes when they worked tirelessly to prepare the ground for matches despite persistent rains”. “We have equally hardworking and determined ground staff in Lahore and Karachi. When you have such a committed staff working for the PCB, the organisation can only flourish, which, in turn, benefits the game and the athletes”, he said. Thanking the local and provincial authorities, Salman Naseer said, “On behalf of the PCB, I also want to appreciate the support of the local administration, provincial governments and security agencies. Without their cooperation, the PCB would not have been able to put together a spectacle of this magnitude”. The PCB is very fortunate to have strong relationships with all the government agencies and this is clearly reflected in the successful holding of the biggest cricket tournament in the history of Pakistan, he said.
