Imran slams 'lockdown of Lahore' for PSL final

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan while criticising the hosting of PSL final in Lahore on Thursday questioned what message of peace is being conveyed to the world by 'putting the city on lockdown' with heavy deployment of security personnel.

Speaking at a press conference here, Khan reiterated that it is a 'foolish' decision to hold Pakistan Super League final in Lahore hoping to revive international cricket in the country.

"By imposing curfew, a cricket match can also be hosted in Syria and Iraq," he said, questioning, "What message of peace is being conveyed to the world by placing the city on lockdown and deploying 60,000 personnel for the match's security?"

The PTI chief said if top-level international cricketers come to Pakistan and circumstances are also favourable, then the entire league should be held in the country, not just final.

"Bringing club-level foreign players to the country, we cannot term them international players," he said.

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Speaking further with regard to the Billion Tree Project, Imran Khan said fighting the timber mafia in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was not an easy job, but the entire provincial administration did so with great courage.

"The project provided employment to 0.5 million people," he claimed, expressing hope that other provinces would also take up such initiatives.