AJK president urges people to cooperate in fighting coronavirus spread

President Masood appeals to people to report suspected COVID-19 cases to police and public health department

MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan has appealed to the people for their cooperation with the administration, law-enforcement agencies and health department during the lockdown in order to curtail the spread of novel coronavirus.

In a broadcast message aired by radio and television on Wednesday, the AJK president said that the pandemic has hit almost the entire world including Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, and by the grace of Almighty Allah we would defeat it through wisdom, patience, cleanliness, and preventive measures.

"Evidences have revealed that the countries which had strictly following precautionary measures had overcome the pandemic but those who did not care, had experienced colossal damage,” he said, adding that the restrictions on movement imposed by the government are for the benefit of all.

Currently, the nationwide tally of COVID-19 patients has jumped to 1,041 with 413 cases in Sindh; 115 in Balochistan; 296 in Punjab; 117 in K-P; 84 in Gilgit-Baltistan; 15 in Islamabad; and one in Azad Jammu and Kashmir with eight deaths.

While urging people to avoid unnecessary social contacts, gatherings, functions and movement, President Masood asked people to help the government in order to prevent the rapid spread of the virus.

"The people must strictly follow instructions of doctors, and every individual should repeatedly wash his hands, avoid touching his mouth, nose and eyes, keep distance from others, refrain from unnecessary travels, and prefer to work from home as much as possible."

He also urged people to report suspected COVID-19 cases, if any, to police and the public health department. "Information should particularly be provided about those who have recently arrived from abroad or those suffering from respiratory problems."



The president went on to say that isolated wards for COVID-19 patients have been established in 38 hospitals in the liberated territory and necessary resources are being provided to ensure availability of every kind of kits, medicines and medical equipment in health centres.

Maintaining that rapid response teams (RRTs) have been constituted in all the 10 districts of Azad Kashmir, he said that the entire network of health department and other agencies are fully alert to prevent the outbreak of contagion in the region.

While appreciating those who are extending cooperation with the governments of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir in following their guidelines and instructions, President Masood said that it was our individual and collective responsibility to prevent the pandemic.

Paying tributes to physicians, paramedics and nurses fighting the contagious disease, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all agencies including armed forces of Pakistan who are trying day and night to meet the emergency, and also thanked religious scholars who are guiding the people in the light of Shariah to tackle the crisis.

Assuring that the government will extend every possible support to those economically suffered from the crisis, he expressed solidarity with the people of Occupied Kashmir.

“Kashmiri people in the disputed territory are facing the worst siege for the last nearly eight months, and now they are faced with the COVID-19 pandemic."

He added: "We demand the Indian government to immediately restore internet service in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir so that all necessary medical information and facilities are provided to the potential COVID-19 patients."