ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday revealed that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir personally intervened to assure Sri Lankan officials of complete security arrangements after concerns emerged regarding the continuation of the national cricket team’s tour of Pakistan.
Speaking in the Senate, Naqvi said the army chief directly contacted Sri Lanka’s defence minister and secretary to allay fears following Tuesday’s suicide attack in Islamabad, which killed 12 people and injured 27 near the district court complex.
Army Chief’s Personal Assurance Eased Concerns
“Our Field Marshal himself spoke to the Sri Lankan defence minister and secretary and reassured them about the foolproof security measures in place,” Naqvi told lawmakers.
He added that Sri Lanka’s President also played a vital role in encouraging players to stay in Pakistan. “The Sri Lankan president personally spoke to his team yesterday and persuaded them to continue the tour,” Naqvi said.
According to the interior minister, all security concerns raised by the visiting side were swiftly addressed. “The team had serious apprehensions about staying here, but we managed to remove all of them,” he said, reaffirming that Sri Lankan players are being treated as state guests with the highest level of security.
Multi-Layered Security for Sri Lankan Squad
Naqvi said the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and police are jointly managing security operations for the Sri Lankan contingent, with enhanced surveillance and movement control in all match venues and team hotels.
He added that the government remains in close contact with both the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to ensure the tour continues safely.
Following the assurances, the SLC confirmed that its team would continue the tour as planned, dismissing fears of withdrawal after the Islamabad incident.
PCB Revises Schedule Amid Security Measures
To strengthen logistics and minimize travel risk, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced changes to the ongoing series schedule. The remaining One Day Internationals (ODIs) between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will now be played on November 14 and 16 in Rawalpindi, while the T20I tri-nation tournament has been shifted from Lahore to Rawalpindi.
In a statement, PCB Chairman Naqvi said the adjustments were made to ensure “seamless security coordination and player safety.”
Sri Lanka Cricket Reassures Players
Earlier this week, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) disclosed that some members of the squad had expressed a desire to return home after the Islamabad bombing. However, following consultations with both the Pakistani and Sri Lankan authorities, the board directed the team to remain in Pakistan and proceed with the tour.
The SLC said it assured players that “all safety concerns were being addressed in close coordination with the PCB and relevant security agencies.” It also added that any player still wishing to return home would be replaced but must undergo a formal review by the board before future selection.
Afghan Nationals Linked to Islamabad and Wana Attacks
Turning to national security issues, Interior Minister Naqvi informed the Senate that investigations had traced the main suspect in the Islamabad suicide attack, while the attacker behind the Wana Cadet College bombing was identified as an Afghan national.
“Afghan nationals are involved in both the Islamabad and Wana college attacks,” Naqvi said, emphasizing that Pakistan’s security forces are working to neutralize cross-border militant infiltration.
He assured lawmakers that intelligence agencies are on high alert to prevent further incidents, especially during international events hosted in Pakistan.
Sri Lanka’s Continued Support Praised
Naqvi commended Sri Lanka for maintaining trust in Pakistan’s security apparatus and continuing the cricket tour despite the tragic incident. “We are grateful for their confidence. Their decision to stay sends a message that Pakistan remains a safe and resilient sporting nation,” he said.
The minister reiterated that the government would ensure maximum protection for all visiting teams, emphasizing that international cricket in Pakistan “will not be derailed by acts of terrorism.”
