ZAHID BAIG

LAHORE: Strongly contradicting the impression that a curfew-like situation would be created by the Punjab government in the provincial metropolis on Sunday (March 5) for the Pakistan Super League-2 final, Punjab Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah said that the city will remain functional on the said day as per routine.

As it is Sunday on March 5, offices will remain close. The government has closed only those restaurants which are in a close proximity to Qaddafi Stadium. No road will be closed and the traffic in city will be operated through a coordinated plan being prepared by Chief Traffic Officer (CTO), Sanaullah told during a press conference here on Thursday.

He said the general public will get information about the traffic plan through advertisements in print and electronic media from today (Friday).

All the bus routes would be modified in such a manner that they could drop people near the stadium. Parking areas will be established for the cricket lovers' vehicles while free coaches

will take them to the stadium from the parking points, he added.

He said metro bus service will not be suspended rather its timings will be extended till 1:00 am to facilitate the people. "No road or area will be blocked and traffic will run smoothly," the Minister claimed.

Commissioner Lahore Abdullah Khan Sumbal said that 36 vehicles would be run as shuttle service between parking areas and the stadium on that day.

He informed the media persons that eatables would be available in abundance in stadium and their prices would be kept under strict vigilance so nobody could overcharge the spectators.

He said search procedure has been designed in a way that it should not hurt self-respect of any person. Volunteers from a college will also perform as guide to facilitate the visitors.

Rana Sanaullah, who was flanked by Punjab Information Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Minister for Counter Terrorism Lt Col (r) Ayub Khan and Commissioner Lahore, said that holding of the PSL final would send a message across the globe that the Pakistanis are a peaceful nation. "We will fight till the last terrorist is alive," Rana vowed.