Relief operations continue across the country amid coronavirus outbreak: ISPR

Troops are assisting in tracing and isolating suspected coronavirus patients across Pakistan

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."