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Pakistan Army deployed for implementation of COVID-19 SOPs: Sh Rasheed

Pakistan Army deployed for implementation of COVID-19 SOPs: Sh Rasheed
April 25, 2021

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - Owing to control the rapid spike of coronavirus (COVID-19) at a critical time, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed on Sunday announced that deployment of Pakistan Army to implement COVID SOPs has been approved for three provinces.

The interior minister made the announcement soon in a video after he chaired a meeting on the COVID-19 situation and reviewed the deployment of armed forces in assist of civil administration.

A notification issued stated that the army has been sent to Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Islamabad, Balochistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to help the administrations with curbing the spread of the deadly virus.

"Pakistan Army has been given responsibility to assist the civil administration to get implemented the SOPs to prevent spread of Corona pandemic," the minister said. He added that the army has always stood with the nation during times of calamities and distress.

"All these provinces can take help from the army according to their requirements, he announced, adding that a decision regarding Sindh is yet to be taken.

He further said that the directives were announced after the coronavirus situation in neighbouring India worsened. “Graveyards and crematoriums are full there.”

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said around 400,000 Covid cases are being reported in India on daily basis, making the cremation centers and graveyards equally busy. He said in view of such a situation, Pakistan Army has been assigned the task to get SOPs implemented to contain spread of the contagion.

Earlier on April 23 during an NCOC meeting, PM Imran Khan said that Pakistan Army will work with the law enforcers to ensure the implementation of SOPs. “They will be deployed on roads along with the police now.”