Not to leave any segment of society at mercy of coronavirus: COAS

RAWALPINDI (92 News) – Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa assured that all necessary measures to ensure public safety are being taken, reiterating, “We can not afford to leave any segment of the society at the mercy of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The army chief stated while attended a special briefing at National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday (today), according to the Inter-Service Public Relation (ISPR). COAS Bajwa mentioned that troops on ground must reach out to citizens in every nook and corner of Pakistan not only to protect them against this pandemic but also for bringing comfort in this hour of distress. “Only through a coherent national effort we can address all vulnerabilities before they turn into threats. The planned measures, if implemented timely will contribute to safety and well being of every Pakistani and society at large,” COAS maintaiend. “We must Rise – and rise together irrespective of caste, colour, creed and religion fighting as one Nation. The task at hand is daunting, but we have overcome difficult situations before. This time the challenge is entirely different,” the army chief said. Armed forces will stand shoulder to shoulder with nation Gen Bajwa vowed that the armed forces will stand shoulder to shoulder with nation to guard the border between people and COVID-19. “Pakistan Army being part of national effort will not leave any stone unturned for security and safety of people of Pakistan,” he concluded. Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Planning Minister and Special Initiatives & Focal person for National effort for COVID-19 Asad Umer, Interior Minister (rtd) Brig Ijaz Ahmed Shah, Economic Affairs Minister Hammad Azhar, Communications Minister Murad Saeed, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan, National Food Minister Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi and senior military officials attended the briefing. SAPM on Finance & Revenue Hafeez Shaikh, SAPM on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan, SAPM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, SAPM on National Security Moeed Yousaf, SAPM on Poverty Alleviation Ms Sania Nishtar were also attended the briefing. The forum was briefed about latest situation on containment efforts and enforcement measures against COVID-19 and troops deployment across the country assisting Federal & Provincial administrations in aid of civil power. Forum expresses complete satisfaction over measures The forum expressed complete satisfaction over the measures taken thus far and also dilated upon future course of action. NCOC serving as nucleus for one window operation The NCOC is serving as a nucleus for one window operation to synergize and articulate national effort against COVID-19, optimise informed decision making and ensure implementation of decisions of National Security Committee (NSC) & National Coordination Committee( NCC) Commander Army Air Defence Command, Lieutenant General Hamood Uz Zaman Khan has been designated as chief coordinator NCOC.