Pak govt takes steps for peaceful viewing of match

The intense interest in the World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan has compelled the Pakistani government to adopt a number of measures to allow people to watch the match peacefully at home.

The federal government announced that a half-day holiday would be observed today with all govenrment and semi-government offices and institutions closing by 12 noon while the provincial government of Sindh, where the interest is as its peak, have announced a public holiday throughout the province.

"The session of the Sindh assembly that was to be held today has also been postponed to tomorrow because of the match," deputy speaker Nisar Khuhro confirmed to PTI.

A number of college and university papers have also been postponed because of the much-anticipated match at Mohali.

Several clubs, educational institutions, companies, resturants and hotels have arranged for special screening of the match on big screen.

"The interest in the match is so high that even if no holiday had been announced I am sure majority of the people would have bunked their work or colleges and varsities because of the match timings," a city government official said.

In view ofthe match the government has already directed the state-owned and private power supply companies to ensure uninterrupted power supply today in order to facilitate the people to watch the match in peace and calm.

Load shedding is common in most parts of Pakistan, particularly in the urban areas as the country is facing a serious energy crisis.

The minorities particularly the Hindu community in Pakistan have also taken the lead in arranging special prayers for the success of the Pakistan team at different temples.

"We have had special Pooja's at most mandirs (temples) in Karachi and interior Sindh. We may be Hindus but we are not Indians and we want our country to win the World Cup," snooker champion Naveen Pervani told the media here.