COAS Asim Munir assured Sri Lankan officials of team's foolproof security, says Naqvi

Islamabad (Web Desk): Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi disclosed on Thursday that Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir personally intervened to address Sri Lanka’s security concerns after their cricket team showed reluctance to continue the Pakistan tour following the Islamabad suicide attack.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Naqvi said that the army chief himself reached out to the Sri Lankan defence minister and secretary, offering firm reassurances regarding the security measures in place.

His comments came shortly after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that the national team would proceed with its ongoing Pakistan tour despite fears sparked by Tuesday’s suicide explosion outside the Islamabad district court, which claimed 12 lives and injured 27 others.

Naqvi, who also serves as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), further shared that the Sri Lankan president had personally spoken to the players to encourage them to remain in Pakistan.

“The Sri Lankan president called the team yesterday and persuaded them to continue playing,” the minister noted.

He added that every concern raised by the Sri Lankan delegation was thoroughly addressed.

“The team had understandable reservations about staying, but we managed to remove all their doubts,” he said. 
“They are our esteemed guests, and we are ensuring them the highest level of security and protocol, with the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and police jointly overseeing all arrangements.”

On domestic security matters, Naqvi informed lawmakers that investigators had identified the main suspect behind the Islamabad judicial complex bombing and that the perpetrator of the Wana Cadet College attack had come from Afghanistan.

“Afghan nationals have been involved in both the Islamabad and Wana incidents,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, the PCB announced a revised schedule for the cricket series, shifting the remaining ODI matches and the T20I tri-nation tournament from Lahore to Rawalpindi. According to the updated plan, the final two ODIs between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will now be played on November 14 and 16 in Rawalpindi.

A day earlier, the SLC clarified that any player wishing to return home despite security assurances would be replaced but would face a formal review by the board for their decision.

The Sri Lankan board said that a few team members had initially requested to leave Pakistan, but after discussions with the management, the players were assured that all safety concerns had been fully addressed in close coordination with the PCB and Pakistani authorities.

Consequently, the board instructed the entire team, including support staff, to stay in Pakistan and continue the tour as scheduled.