The Pakistan Army, Rangers and police personnel on Tuesday carried out joint flag march in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to sensitize public with respect to fight against COVID-19. The Pakistan Army and the police also make announcements on loudspeakers urging locals to stay indoors and help the law enforcement agencies in tackling the situation as the virus can be controlled and contained through collective efforts.
The federal government on March 23 called in the military in aid of the civil administration nationwide, after the virus outbreak across the country especially in Sindh and Punjab. According to the military sources, Pakistan armed forces have started mobilization against coronavirus, however army is still not fully utilized and only few companies have given tasks, so far. However, compliance level will increase with every passing day.
They said that there are no strict rules and procedures, which the military personnel had to follow to contain the virus through restricting people as they have been directed to ensure people, do not gather at one place. All the bazaars, markets, shopping malls and markets including Aabpara, Melody, Blue Area, Super Market and Jinnah Super, Raja Bazaar, Cantt, Commercial Market, Murree Road, and other small markets remained shutting. Medical stores, bakeries, meat, poultry shops, fruits and vegetable, milk and grocery stores, auto workshop, petrol stations, Sabzi Mandis, restaurant/food outlets only for delivery and takeaways remained opened in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The police, during separate patrolling, also made announcements to close shops otherwise action will be taken against those who violate legal orders. The number of vehicles playing on roads of twin cities was minimal as public transport was off the roads. The police and district administration conducted raids to enforce the ban on public gatherings and events in the twin cities. The district administrations of the twin cities have already imposed Section 144 in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Irfan Ahmed, a resident of Sector G-6, said that he fully supports the measures announced by the government and all the citizens should cooperate with the authorities as it was for the safety of the masses.
"The government alone cannot prevent the spread of coronavirus and we, the people should strictly follow the government instructions and stay home, he said. However, some people who were standing at different bus stands mostly patients, daily wagers and employees, said that they had to face difficulties in reaching their destinations as public transport is not available, while a few taxi drivers are fleecing the travelers. Majority of the people are terrified as what could be done, if the virus is not controlled despite all the measures taken by the government.