Peshawar (APP) A high-level security and coordination meeting on Tuesday approved the hosting of Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11 matches at Peshawar’s Imran Khan Stadium, marking a major boost for cricket in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as preparations for the upcoming tournament gather pace.
According to an official statement, the decision was taken after a detailed review of the province’s security situation. PSL 11 is scheduled to be held from March 26 to May 3, and the approval paves the way for top-level cricket to return to Peshawar this year.
The meeting was held at the Corps Headquarters, Peshawar, and was attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the national security adviser, the Peshawar corps commander, and senior civil and military officials.
Participants of the meeting paid tribute to civilians and security personnel who lost their lives in terrorist incidents across the country and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the province.
During the meeting, it was decided to implement the provincial government’s governance model in Malakand Division as a pilot project. The initiative will be jointly monitored by the federal and provincial governments, and if successful, will be extended in phases to the districts of Khyber, Orakzai and Kurram.
A special sub-committee, headed by the KP chief minister, was also constituted to hold monthly review meetings for overseeing development projects and security operations in the affected districts. The committee will comprise public representatives, the Peshawar corps commander, the chief secretary, the inspector general of police, provincial officials and federal representatives.
The meeting further decided to continue strict action against illegal SIM cards, explosives and extortion, while also focusing on the phased profiling of non-custom-paid vehicles.
Good News for Sports
Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), termed the decision to host PSL matches in Peshawar as “good news for sports.” He said that nearly 60 percent of the national cricket team’s players belong to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, underscoring the province’s vital contribution to Pakistani cricket.
“We are working closely with KP on domestic cricket and will soon bring good news so that the talent of this province is not wasted,” Naqvi said while speaking to the media. “We will collectively bring positive developments for sports in Peshawar.”
Naqvi also disclosed that a follow-up meeting of the Apex Committee had been held, the details of which would be shared later.
He commended the KP Police for their key role in the operation against the perpetrators of the February 6 Islamabad suicide attack, which resulted in the martyrdom of more than 30 people and left dozens injured.
Commenting on Pakistan’s engagement with the International Cricket Council (ICC), Naqvi said that discussions were aimed at highlighting the injustice faced by Bangladesh. He clarified that Pakistan’s decision to announce a boycott of its scheduled match against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 was not driven by any personal agenda.
“Pakistan has no demands beyond what Bangladesh is seeking. No additional conditions have been set,” he added.