Interior Ministry approves deployment of armed forces across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry has authorized the deployment of armed forces in all four provinces, Islamabad, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.

In this regard, the interior ministry issued separate notification according to which Pakistan Army was deployed throughout the country in a bid to curb the outbreak of coronavirus. 

The Punjab notifications stated, “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 be worked 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.” 

Similar notifications were issued for Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The notification came when the number of affected cases in the country has soared past 800 and 6 people have died. 

Earlier on Sunday, Sindh Government imposed a province-wide lockdown and the Punjab government decided to take important decisions to encourage social distancing and self-quarantine. 

The lockdown in Sindh has been imposed for 15 days. In Punjab, the chief minister has ordered closure of all unnecessary shops and banned pillion riding. Section 144 has been imposed in the province which will continue for 14 days.