Holding a press conference in Rawalpindi, the ISPR DG said that all the borders have been closed in view of the Coronavirus threat but ‘the real border which we need to shut is between human and Coronavirus’.
Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar confirmed that the army had been called in by the civil government for its aid under Article 245 of the Constitution of Pakistan. “Army will assist federal and provincial governments in their respective plans to deal with COVID-19”, he said.
Explaining the details of the lockdown, the ISPR DG said that only hospitals, medical stores and shops and restaurants selling food items will remain open during the lockdown. “Intercity transport will only be used for the food supply chain. All airports will remain closed for international flights till April 4”, he added.
Iftikhar said that it is one of the most difficult times the nation has ever seen but we have proven time and again that we remain resilient in the face of adversities. He urged the people of Pakistan to stay at their homes in order to defeat the pandemic.
Pakistan currently has 882 confirmed cases of Coronavirus and the number is rising at an alarming rate.