Troops deployed in Pakistan to combat coronavirus as cases near 900

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan army chief spokesman Major General Babar Iftikhar says it is time to take hard decisions at common, individual and societal level as the outbreak of coronavirus could be coped with national cohesion and integration.

Addressing a media briefing in Rawalpindi on Monday, he said the armed forces of Pakistan are aware of their role and are standing besides the nation to contain the threat of COVID-19.

He said around one million people have been screened out whereas in the past 24 hours, 12,000 tests for coronavirus were being conducted and best defence isolation against COVID-19 was set up.

Major General Babar Iftikhar urged the people to cooperate with Pakistan Army and the government by following guidelines issued to prevent coronavirus.

The public should behave like responsible citizens through following the instructions of the doctors in this regard.

He said the world has witnessed our resolve and determination during the 2005 earthquake, floods and war against terrorism. Our brave national will overcome this challenge in solidarity with the armed forces.

Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa ordered the deployment of troops and military’s medical resources to fight Covid-19 alongside the national health infrastructure amid surging number of patients infected with novel coronavirus.

The federal government sought deployment of the armed forces in all four provinces, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir under Article 245 (functions of the armed forces) of the Constitution and Section 131(A) (power to use military force for public security and maintenance of law and order) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Separate notifications were issued by the interior ministry for the four provinces, the AJK, GB and the federal capital.

The deployment of troops has been decided when the pandemic has already entered the critical phase of local transmission with the tally of confirmed cases in the country nearing 900.