By Hafiz Rahat Usama 
COAS Munir Personally Addresses Sri Lankan Security Concerns
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi revealed that Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir played a pivotal role in convincing Sri Lankan authorities to continue their cricket tour of Pakistan. Following security concerns raised after the Islamabad suicide attack that killed 12 people, Munir directly engaged with Sri Lanka’s defense minister and secretary to provide reassurances about safety arrangements. Naqvi disclosed these details during a Senate session, highlighting the high-level diplomatic efforts made to salvage the tour.
Sri Lankan President Intervenes to Support Tour Continuation
The security situation prompted unprecedented involvement from Sri Lanka’s highest office, with the country’s president personally contacting the national cricket team to encourage them to remain in Pakistan. Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, confirmed that all security concerns from the visiting team had been thoroughly addressed. The minister emphasized that Sri Lankan players were receiving state guest-level security protections, with coordinated efforts between the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and local police ensuring comprehensive safety measures.
Security Developments and Tournament Adjustments
Alongside cricket security discussions, Naqvi provided updates on recent terrorist attacks, confirming that investigators had identified the primary suspect in the Islamabad judicial complex bombing and established Afghan connections to both this incident and the Wana cadet college attack. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board implemented precautionary changes to the tour schedule, relocating the remaining ODIs and moving the T20I tri-nation tournament from Lahore to Rawalpindi as part of enhanced security protocols.