Coronavirus pandemic: Pak Army will not take IS allowance, says DG ISPR

• The decision has been taken so that the government could spend these funds on corona affected patients., says DG ISPR.
• Babar says Indian army used media to spread negative propaganda against Pakistan.
• COAS orders military commanders to keep strict vigilance on situation at borders and country's security: Iftikhar.

(Karachi) DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar has announced that in wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Pakistan Army will not take internal security (IS) allowance. He added the decision has been taken so that the government could spend these funds on corona affected patients.

Addressing media briefing after the special conference chaired by Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi on Friday, he said that the conference participants took notice of Indian aggression along the LoC.

Babar said that military's resources are being used to combat the deadly virus.

"A smart lockdown and testing, tracing and quarantining will drive our efforts against Covid-19. We will have a targeted lockdown only for virus hotspots and clusters."

DG ISPR Press Conference https://t.co/6s03mGZXw7

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) April 24, 2020

He highlighted that the next 15 days with regards to coronavirus are important. The DG ISPR stated that measures and future strategies to deal with coronavirus pandemic were also discussed in the conference.

He said 237 deaths have been reported so far in the country and of them three died in Gilgit-Baltistan. "An increase has been witnessed in testing capacity and isolation of corona patients." He said China has supported Pakistan in wake of the deadly pandemic which is appreciable.

"China has proven to be a friend and strategic partner by helping us in every field," he said. "Two flights have reached from China with aid and a team of doctors," he stated.

Iftikhar also lauded the role of Ulema and their efforts regarding the coronavirus.

He mentioned that in order to increase the strength of the medical core, the Pak Army has decided to call reserve force personnel.

Regarding Kashmir issue, he said that Indian army used media to spread negative propaganda against Pakistan. He added India has committed 850 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control. "Indian troops deliberately targetted civilian population in Azad & Jammu Kashmir," he stated.

From February 26 till today, India has violated the LoC 456 times, he said.

"India is promoting the ideology of Hindutva and the RSS broke all laws by spreading hatred," he remarked. "Whenever India faces internal crisis, it blames Pakistan to divert attention of the world community."

The DG ISPR stated that the India's conspiracy to link coronavirus with Muslims has failed.

Babar maintained the COAS ordered the military commanders to keep strict vigilance on situation at borders and country's security. He said the United Nations has repeatedly called India for ceasefire violations along the border.