Imran Khan's government authorises army to take over in case of lockdown violations

The Pakistan government has authorised the Pakistan army to take over if the public violates lockdown rules. The order has been issued specifically keeping in mind thebusiness community and religious clerics. The decision has been taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The decision came out after a meeting that took place at the ISI Headquarters in Rawalpindi on April 23. The meeting was attended by Imran Khan, COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, DG-ISI Lt. Gen Faiz Hameed, some of the Cabinet ministers and advisors. The motive of the meeting was to discuss the tense situation in the country and to plan counter measures in case of emergencies.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

This is not the first time Imran Khan has been overpowered by the country's army. On March 22, Prime Minister addressed the nation and explained his reasons for not imposing a complete lockdown, stating that a lot of people would lose their jobs. However, few hours laterPakistan Army spokesperson Major General Babar Iftikhar announced a complete lockdown. Following the announcement, military was deployed in the countryan was seen handling the COVID-19 response through the National Core Committee, a body set up to coordinate policy between the national and provincial governments.

However, business community and religious clerics have claimed they will continue to operate their day-to-day life normal.According to sources, it was agreed in principle during the meeting that police, rangers and even troops can be used to maintain law and order if the business community and religious clerics attempt to cross their limit and violate the lockdown instructions.

Ramazan is an important month for the Muslim community all over the world. While the community is doing its best to stay indoors and celebrate from their homes, the situation seems to be tense in Pakistan.

Several violators were reportedly arrested in Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and other cities on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

"The situation will worsen soon if the government would not ease its restrictions since poor people are very frustrated of not getting food and other basic amenities," the sources said, adding "government system is not effective".

Total number of reported positive coronavirus cases have risen to12,723 with a death toll of 269. However, several questions have been raised on whether the actual number is as reported. The Pakistan government, following the figures, extended the lockdown till May 09.

The health officials of the country have been staging protests for weeks claiming that thehospitals are suffering from acuteshortageof safety gear.

"Overall circumstances are not short of civilian disobedience if the government does not relax its strict measures to maintain lockdown effectively, it will face a difficult position," sources said.

Dismissing reports of having made a vaccine for coronavirus, Advisor on Health Zafar Mirza informed the media that there is no coronavirus vaccine presently

“Let me clarify that while there are several initiatives to develop vaccines across the world, there is no such initiative in Pakistan at the moment," he said.

However, he confirmed the reports of a Chinese and Japanese manufacturer contacting the country for developing a vaccine.“We have asked for more information from them," Mirza said.