STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD The interior ministry on Monday summoned the Pakistan Army to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus across the country which will be deployed throughout the country as the coronavirus cases surpassed 800 with six reported deaths. “The Competent Authority, in exercise of the powers conferred under Article 245 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Section I31-A of CrPC is pleased to authorize deployment of sufficient strength of troops of Pakistan Army in Punjab province depending upon the requirement to bworked out by the provincial Government in liaison with the Army authorities in connection with the prevailing situation related to the spread of COVID-19 and matters ancillary thereto, subject to laws enforced in Pakistan,” read the notification for Punjab. Similar notifications were issued for Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan approved provincial governments’ requests seeking military in aid of civil power, Special Assistant to PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Monday. Meanwhile, addressing a press conference here, Director-General of the InterServices Public Relations Maj-Gen Babar Iftikhar said onMonday coronavirus was a danger that “we have never seen in our lifetimes” but that the Pakistan Army was fully aware of its duty and would counter the pandemic with the nation’s help. Maj-Gen Iftikhar said he wished to apprise the country’s citizens of the military’s efforts in the war against Covid-19, which has so far infected 882 people and left at least six people dead. The borders had been closed as a preventive measure but “the actual border is between the man and the coronavirus, which we have yet to take control of”, he said. “This will only be possible through self-discipline and cooperation. The best defense against the coronovirus is cooperation,” he said, adding that Pakistan was facing a serious challenge and that only with the people’s belief in the state could this problem be resolved. “Pakistan Army is well aware of its responsibility and will bring all of its resources to use,” he said, assuring the citizens that the Army was standing alongside its count rypeople. “Yeste rday [Sunday] evening, in a special corps commanders conference to deal with coronavirus, Pakistan Army’s aid to civil institutions and its plan of action was reviewed,” the military’s spokesperson said. “Despite being deployed at the Line of Control and the western border, Chief of Army Staff Gen Javed Qamar Bajwa has directed that all available soldiers and theArmy’s medical resources be deployed to tackle the coronavirus,” he noted. “The government of Pakistan has summoned the Pakistan Army under Article 245 in aid of civil power,” he added. “According to the notification issued by the federal and provincial governments, only hospitals, shops selling food items, medical stores, and food and medicine manufacturing industries would only remain open, while schools shall remain closed,” he added. Maj Gen Iftikhar stressed that the petrol pumps and markets would remain open only according to the timings issued by the respective provincial governments. 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,” MajGen Babar said, adding that other army officers have also donated their salaries in this connection
