The Ministry of Interior on Monday issued several notification in this regard approving the requests of all four provinces – Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber-Pkhtunkwa – and federal territories and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) for the deployment of armed forces.
The nationwide tally of COVID-19 patients topped 875 with 394 cases in Sindh; 110 in Balochistan; 246 in Punjab; 38 in K-P; 71 in Gilgit-Baltistan; 15 in Islamabad; and one in AJK with six deaths.
The Sindh and AJK governments have imposed a blanked ban on the movement with a few exceptions, besides closing all non-essential markets, offices and shutting transport and educational institutions to limit the interaction of the people to stop community spread of the contagion.
Whereas, other regions including Punjab and K-P have also imposed a partial lockdown.
A day earlier, Pakistan Army also reiterated its resolve in fighting against the deadly epidemic, saying: “Nothing can defeat a responsible and determined nation.”
“Pakistan Army, being part of national effort, shall serve and protect the nation as a sacred duty InshAllah,” army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was quoted as saying during the meeting held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
Prime Minister Imran Khan approved provincial governments’ requests seeking military in aid of civil power, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said earlier in the day.
The prime minister has allowed the provincial governments to enforce ‘partial lockdown’ on ‘need-base’ under Article 245-A of the Constitution of Pakistan, she added.
Though the deadly infestation has been contained by the Chinese government in Wuhan, the virus has now spread elsewhere, especially in Europe and the United States, with the World Health Organisation declaring Europe as the new epicentre of the viral disease.
Pakistan, despite its close proximity with China, remained unscathed by the virus until February 26 when a young man from Karachi tested positive for the novel coronavirus. He had returned from Iran – one of the worst-hit countries.
After a brief pause following the first case, COVID-19 cases witnessed a sharp surge as more pilgrims returning from Iran tested positive despite the fact that they were quarantined for 14 days at the Pak-Iran border crossing of Taftan in Balochistan.
Pakistan confirmed three casualties from the virus on March 22 – one each in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. The first two casualties were reported on March 18 in K-P and the third was a cancer survivor in Karachi.
The nationwide tally of COVID-19 patients topped 875 with 394 cases in Sindh; 110 in Balochistan; 246 in Punjab; 38 in K-P; 71 in Gilgit-Baltistan; 15 in Islamabad; and one in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.Since the situatioInter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG Maj-Gen Babar Iftikhar, while addressing a news conference in Rawalpindi on Monday, shared measures taken so far to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.
The chief military spokesperson confirmed that armed forces are called in aid of civil power under Article 245 of the Constitution. “Army will assist federal and provincial governments in their respective plans to deal with COVID-19,” he added.
He said all shopping malls, restaurants and public transport will remain closed across the country.
“All the borders have been closed but the real border is between human and coronavirus which we need to shut,” he remarked.
The ISPR DG said coronavirus can be defeated through prevention.
In view of the world’s best practices, actions will be taken to limit the interaction of the people, he said.
“COAS [General Qamar Javed Bajwa] has donated his one month salary for this fight against coronavirus,” Maj-Gen Babar said, adding that other army officers have also donated their salaries in this connection.
The chief military spokesperson confirmed that armed forces are called in aid of civil power under Article 245 of the Constitution. “Army will assist federal and provincial governments in their respective plans to deal with COVID-19,” he added.
He said all shopping malls, restaurants and public transport will remain closed across the country.
“All the borders have been closed but the real border is between human and coronavirus which we need to shut,” he remarked.
The ISPR DG said coronavirus can be defeated through prevention.
In view of the world’s best practices, actions will be taken to limit the interaction of the people, he said.
“COAS [General Qamar Javed Bajwa] has donated his one month salary for this fight against coronavirus,” Maj-Gen Babar said, adding that other army officers have also donated their salaries in this connection.
n remains fluid, the stats are changing fast and we’re updating them accordingly..
