Pak Army called in for assistance in anti-coronavirus measures
Last updated on: 23 March,2020 09:42 pm
The federal govt deployed the Pakistan army across Pakistan under Article 245 of the Constitution.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The federal government on Monday called in the Pakistan Army to help in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, as the number of confirmed cases in the country crossed 800 on Monday.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior, the federal government deployed the Pakistan army across Pakistan under Article 245 of the Constitution to assist the civil administration battling with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.
The Interior Ministry said the authorization has been granted under article 245 of the Constitution and Section 131-A of CrPC 1898.
The authorization has also been made in response to separate requests made by Islamabad administration, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan governments.
On Sunday, Balochistan and Sindh governments had sought assistance of Pakistan Army against deadly coronavirus. Balochistan government had written a letter for giving civil authority to the army under Article 245 in order to curb the spread of the virus.
On the other hand, the Sindh government had requested the federation to send army soldiers for the help of civil administration under Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in imposing lockdown.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Punjab (CM) had also decided to contact Pakistan Army for assistance and vowed to use all the resources for saving the lives of people from coronavirus.
Earlier, while presiding over a Special Corps Commanders’ Conference in Rawalpindi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa discussed single point agenda of COVID-19.
Corps Commanders participated through video link from respective Corps Headquarters.
The forum reviewed countrywide spread of COVID-19 and deliberated army’s readiness to assist civil administration to contain the pandemic.
The Army Chief said Pakistan Army being part of national effort shall serve and protect the nation as a sacred duty.
According to ISPR, all available troops of Pakistan Army and its medical resources across the country have been tasked to be ready to assist activities in concert with civil administration on short notice.
On Thursday, addressing a press conference in Islamabad along with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza in Islamabad, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Babar Iftikhar said that Pakistan Army is fully determined to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.
He said that the trust of people is the asset of Pakistan’s armed forces, adding that everyone will have to act responsibly.
The ISPR DG said that Pak army is working with the civil institutions and utilizing all the resources to help quarantine.
Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has directed the formation for help and medical facilities of all three armed forces have been prepared.