Army brass reviews COVID-19 preventive measures

[ghazi52]

Pakistan Army will not leave G-B people alone in these challenging times: COAS

March 24, 2020

KARACHI: Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that Pakistan’s armed forces will never leave the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) alone in these challenging times.

“Pakistan Army is cognisant of the challenges facing the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. We are working closely with GB’s govt and civil administration to provide all possible support while additional resources are being arranged on war footing in conjunction with the federal government,” the army chief was quoted as saying by the chief military spokesperson.

“We will never leave the people of GB alone in these challenging times. Pakistanis will fight against COVID-19 as one,” Gen Qamar said.

Currently, G-B has 80 confirmed coronavirus cases, or 30% of the total tests conducted in the region. Similarly, the region has 509 suspected cases, of which 162 have been reported during the last 24 hours.

One person has so far died of the COVID-19 disease in the region. The deceased, Dr Usama Riaz, had reportedly contracted the deadly respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus while screening pilgrims returning from Iran at G-B.

The young Dr Usama Riaz has been hailed as a hero by the region’s chief minister and his cabinet members.

Capacity of different hospitals in the region – including the Districts Headquarters Hospitals in Gilgit, Skardu, and Chilas – is being enhanced.

G-B is a remote mountainous region and the difficult terrain makes accessibility an issue. The region needs attention, immediate attention, to prevent the situation ballooning into a crisis.

G-B has been in a complete lockdown since Monday midnight for an indefinite period. Police and paramilitary troops are patrolling the streets and roads round the clock to enforce the lockdown, according to the law minister, Aurangzeb Khan.

The development comes as provincial governments in Sindh, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan had announced lockdown in their provinces to an attempt to stem the spread of the deadly contagion.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[KhanBaba2]

In 1947 that command was passed over to the Dominion of Pakistan which continues to this day.

Took around 11 years for them to stop listening to the command of the Dominion of Pakistan.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Took around 11 years for them to stop listening to the command of the Dominion of Pakistan.

Because that is the time it took them to see the the 'Dominion of Pakistan' had turned into just a franchise for small migrant elite from United Provinces in India turning it into cash cow under guise of "Islam".

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Armies of European countries also help civilian institutions. Chinese army was cleaning streets of hongkong.

I never said anything was wrong with army helping. Indeed it would be crazy if it did not. The army is organ of the state to be used when needed.

 

[ghazi52]

GOC Okara Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor visiting hospitals in Sahiwal & Okara.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Go to 9:50.

 

[xyx007]

Pakistani Doctor discovered oldest method passive immunization to fight against COVID-19
https://tribune.com.pk/story/217977...19-patients-pakistans-top-hematologist/?amp=1

 

[ghazi52]

Relief operations continue across the country amid coronavirus outbreak: ISPR

March 28, 2020
https://tribune.com.pk/story/218635...cross-country-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-ispr/

Troops assisting in tracing and isolating suspected coronavirus patients across country, says military's media wing.


Pakistan Army has issued an update on COVID-19 relief operations, being conducted in aid of civil administrations across the country to ensure implementation of safety measures to contain the spread of coronavirus.

“All points of entries (POE) being manned and monitored, establishment of joint check posts and joint patrolling with other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) being carried out effectively,” military media wing, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement on Saturday.

The ISPR said contact tracking and tracing of suspected coronavirus patients to isolate them is being carried out to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease.

“Army troops are assisting in management of quarantine facilities. A total of 182 quarantine facilities have been established across the country.”

Details of troops assisting civil administration across the country:

AJK

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), army troops are assisting civil administration for enforcement measures in various parts of Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur, Barnala, Muzafarabbad, Bagh, Kel and Rawalakot.

Balochistan

Troops are deployed in nine districts in far flung areas including Awaran, Dukki, Chaghi, Lasbela, Kalat, Naushki, Khuzdar, Sibbi and Gwadar.

The ISPR said the Chaman border has also been closed for all types of vehicles.

“Army troops, doctors and paramedics are assisting civil administration in managing Taftaan quarantine facility,” said the military’s media wing, adding that an additional container based quarantine facility for 600 individuals is being established at Pakistan-Iran border.

805 tent-based quarantine facility with “allied facilities” in line with best practices is being set-up at Afghan border in Chaman, it said.

“Army field medical battalion with specialist doctors and paramedics are deployed at Chaman for management of the quarantine facility. Container based quarantine facility for 300 individuals is being established at Killi Faizu village in Chaman.”

Gilgit-Baltistan

Army troops are deployed in all 10 districts including remote areas and are assisting local administration to screen and test suspected coronavirus patients.

“Pakistan army helicopters flew special sorties through Khunjrab pass for transporting and distribution of medical equipment received from China including 5 ventilators, 2,000 testing kits, 2,000 medical suits, 2,000 N95 masks and 0.2 million facemasks on March 27.”

Islamabad (ICT)

Joint check posts on entry and exit points, joint patrolling with police and isolation of suspected localities is being carried out, according to the ISPR statement.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P)

The army’s troops have been deployed in 26 districts with four border terminals and inter-provincial boundary being manned and managed in Drazinda, a village near DI Khan district.

“Army troops are assisting civil administration for management of quarantine camps at Drazinda, Gomal University, DI Khan, Post Graduate Paramedic Institutes Peshawar.”

The military’s media wing said a quarantine center for 1,500 individuals is being established in the areas of Landi Kotal and Jamrud.

“Army troops and LEAs are ensuring isolation of 10 residential areas of confirmed cases at Peshawar, Mardan, Charsada and Buner. Over 4,000 suspected cases are tracked and traced, being isolated to contain spread of COVID-19.”

Punjab

The ISPR said army troops, deployed in 34 districts of the province, are patrolling with police and other law enforcment agencies to enforce the provincial government’s directives to contain coronavirus spread.

“Troops are assisting civil administration in managing DG Khan, Multan, Faisalabad and Lahore Expo Centre quarantine facilities.”

“Disinfection campaign is under way at various public places including airports, train platforms and other such public places.”

Sindh

According to ISPR, army troops along with Pakistan Rangers Sindh and police have set-up check post at all entry and exit points in 29 districts of the province and are enforcing the provincial government’s lockdown measures.

“Troops are assisting civil administration for management of quarantine facilities at Sukkur and Karachi Expo Centre.”

 

[ghazi52]

Army announces completion of troops’ deployment across country

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army on Saturday announced completion of deployment of troops across the country for assisting civilian authorities in containing the spread of Covid-19 with a major focus on managing 182 quarantine facilities.

“Pakistan Army troops deployed across the country in aid of civil power under Article 245,” Inter-Services Public Relations, the military’s public affairs wing, said in a statement.

The deployment was approved by Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa last Monday (March 23) on the request of the interior ministry. The government had asked for deployment of troops 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 CrPC.

The army’s statement did not mention the number of troops deployed for the anti-coronavirus operation. However, military spokesman Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar had on Monday said that “available troops” and all medical resources would be deployed as per requirement. The army, while committing troops for the anti-Covid-19 effort, had to take into account the situation at the Line of Control and Working Boundary, where India was maintaining an aggressive posture and regularly committing ceasefire violations; and on the border with Afghanistan.

Military observers believe that troops already allocated for internal security have been re-appropriated for this task without significantly disturbing the deployments on the tense eastern and western borders.

The role to be performed by the troops was once again defined in the ISPR statement, according to which there were assisting federal and provincial governments in enforcement of the measures for containment of Covid-19. The troops are also helping in contact tracking, identification and isolation of suspected cases and the management of 182 quarantine facilities that have been set up across the country.

ISPR said: “All points of entries (POE) were being manned and monitored, joint check posts have been established and joint patrolling was being undertaken along with other Law Enforcement Agencies”.

AJK: The deployment in Azad Kashmir has been done in various parts of Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur, Barnala, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Kel and Rawalakot.

Balochistan: Troops have been deployed in nine districts of Balochistan, including Awaran, Dukki, Chaghi, Lasbela, Kalat, Naushki, Khuzdar, Sibbi and Gwadar. Besides enforcing restriction on movement of traffic between various towns and cities, the major focus of the military deployment in the province has been on beefing up quarantine facilities at the Taftan border crossing with Iran and Chaman border crossing with Afghanistan.

“Army troops, doctors and paramedics assisting civil administration in managing Taftan Quarantine facility. An additional container based Quarantine facility for 600 individuals is being established at Taftan,” ISPR said.

Gilgit-Baltistan: Troops have been deployed in all 10 districts of GB for assisting civil administration with enforcement measures, screening and testing of patients.

“Pakistan army helicopters flew special sorties through Khunjrab pass for transporting and distribution of medical equipment received from China including 5 Ventilators, 2000 testing kits, 2000 medical suits, 2000 N-95 Masks & 0.2 Million Face Masks on 27th March,” ISPR said.

Islamabad: In the federal capital the deployed troops, ISPR said, were manning joint check posts on entry/exit points, and undertaking joint patrolling with police, besides isolation of localities from where Covid-19 cases were being reported.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Deployment has been done in 26 districts of KP. Troops were manning four border terminals and inter provincial boundary at Drazinda.

“Army troops assisting civil administration for management of Quarantine camps at Drazinda, Gomal University, DI Khan, Post Graduate Paramedic Institutes Peshawar,” ISPR said, adding a quarantine facility for 1,500 individuals was being established in Landi Kotal and Jamrud.

The troops were, moreover, enforcing isolation of 10 neighbourhoods in Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda and Bunner from where Covid-19 cases were reported.

Punjab: Army troops have been deployed in 34 districts of Punjab where they were manning joint check posts established on entry/exit points in addition to patrolling with police for enforcement of Covid-19 containment measures.

The health authorities in the province were being assisted by the troops in managing quarantine facilities established in D.G. Khan, Multan, Faisalabad and Lahore Expo Centre. Moreover, the troops were engaged in disinfection campaign at various public places, including airports and train platforms.

Sindh: Troops have been deployed in 29 districts of Sindh. Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, were deployed at all entry/exit points along with police.

Meanwhile, army troops, Pakistan Rangers and police were jointly conducting patrols to enforce containment measures.

“Troops assisting civil administration for management of quarantine facilities at Sukkur and Karachi Expo Centre,” ISPR said.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2020

 

[ghazi52]

According to ISPR, to support national efforts in fight against COVID-19, Employees of Special Pay Scale 11 to 14 contributed 3 days salary, 8 to 10 2 days while scale 1 to 7 have contributed their one day pay.

Meanwhile, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Nadeem Raza contributed his one month’s pay in COVID-19 Relief Fund.

 

[ghazi52]

Army chief vows to 'leave no stone unturned' in protection of Pakistanis against coronavirus

Prime Minister Imran Khan chairs a meeting of the National Coordination Committee on COVID-19 in Islamabad on Wednesday. — PID

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday vowed to "leave no stone unturned" for the security of the people of Pakistan in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations, Gen Bajwa's remarks followed a special briefing at National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended by various government representatives.

The forum was briefed about the country's latest containment efforts and enforcement measures taken against COVID-19 and the countrywide deployment of troops in aid of civil administration.

Gen Bajwa, according to the statement, said that all measures required to ensure public safety were being taken. "We can not afford to leave any segment of the society at the mercy of this pandemic," he said.

“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,” underscored the army chief.

“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,” said Gen Bajwa.

He called on the nation to "rise together", put aside differences of "caste, colour, creed, and religion" and fight as one nation.

"The task at hand is daunting, but we have overcome difficult situations before. This time the challenge is entirely different. Armed Forces will stand shoulder to shoulder with nation to guard the border between people and COVID-19,” he said.

The NCOC is serving as a nucleus for one window operation to articulate national efforts against COVID-19 — optimise informed decision making and ensure implementation of decisions of National Security Committee (NSC) and National Coordination Committee( NCC).

“Commander Army Air Defence Command, Lieutenant General Hamood-Uz-Zaman Khan has been designated as chief coordinator NCOC,” the statement read.

 

[ghazi52]

Armed forces to guard border between people and COVID-19: COAS

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday said the armed forces would stand shoulder to shoulder with the nation to guard the border between people and COVID-19.

General Bajwa, who attended a special briefing at the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), maintained that the Pakistan Army, being part of national effort, would not leave any stone unturned for security and safety of the people of Pakistan. “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,” the COAS said.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Planning Asad Umar, who is also focal person for national effort for COVID-19, Interior Minister Brig (retd)Ijaz Ahmed Shah, Minister for Revenue Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Minister for Communication Murad Saeed, Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Minister for Food Security and Research Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi, Special Assistant to PM on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, SAPM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, SAPM on National Security Moeed Yousaf, SAPM on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Sania Nishtar and senior military officials attended the briefing.

The COAS said that only through a coherent national effort all vulnerabilities could be addressed before they turn into threats.

“We must rise - and rise together irrespective of caste, colour, creed and religion fighting as one nation,” he said. General Bajwa observed that all the planned measures, if implemented timely, will contribute to safety and wellbeing of every Pakistani and society at large.

“The task at hand is daunting, but we have overcome difficult situations before. This time the challenge is entirely different,” the COAS observed. The army chief assured that all necessary measures to ensure public safety were being taken as he said they could not afford to leave any segment of the society at the mercy of this pandemic.

The forum was briefed about latest situation on containment efforts and enforcement measures against COVID-19 and troops deployment across the country assisting federal and provincial administrations in aid of civil power.

According to the ISPR, the forum expressed complete satisfaction over the measures taken thus far and also dilated upon future course of action. The NCOC is serving as a nucleus for one window operation to synergise and articulate national effort against COVID-19, optimise informed decision-making and ensure implementation of decisions of National Security Committee (NSC) and National Coordination Committee (NCC).

Commander Army Air Defence Command, Lieutenant General Hamooduz Zaman Khan has been designated as chief coordinator of NCOC.

 

[ghazi52]

DG ISPR says Pakistan cannot afford 'indefinite lockdown' amid coronavirus outbreak

DG ISPR addressing a press conference in Islamabad on April 03, 2020. — Geo News/Screengrab

ISLAMABAD: The country cannot afford an 'indefinite lockdown' according to the information received and our analysis from the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) information, DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar said Friday.

"We cannot afford an indefinite lockdown," he said, speaking at a press conference alongside SAPM Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan. "We will have to keep our essential services functioning as well."

Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar thanked the media for reporting objectively on the coronavirus pandemic, saying that he had no hesitation in admitting that the state will require cooperation from the media to battle the virus.

The military's media spokesperson paid tribute to the doctors, health workers and medical staff that was at the forefront in the battle against the coronavirus.

"I pay special tribute to doctors, paramedics, security personnel, on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19 virus. I also thank ulema for their role," he said.

NCOC is a 'one-window operation'

The DG ISPR briefed media about the NCOC, saying that it was headed by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar.

He said that the NCOC serves as a nerve centre "to collate and analyse information received from provinces, after which recommendations are made to National Command Centre" so that the country's top political leadership can take timely decisions.

The DG ISPR said that the NCOC was a 'one-window operation' where under one roof, important ministries and provinces had representation. "Here, all sorts of information is received and is forwarded," he said.

The military's media spokesperson said that it was of the utmost importance that the masses cooperated with the state by staying inside their homes.

"As a good Muslim, it is one of our most important responsibilities to keep others safe as well," he said. "You can do this by staying inside your houses."

 

[ghazi52]

Prime Minister Imran Khan has emphasized the need to render untiring efforts for effective enforcement of the decisions through National Command and Operation Centre to contain the outbreak of COVID-19 across the country.

He expressed these views during a visit to National Command and Operation Centre for COVID-19 in Islamabad on Friday.