ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: As of now, seven Pakistanis have lost their lives to Coronavirus (COVID-19), six people have overpowered the virus whereas further 905 remain under treatment in quarantine.
In the last few hours, 26 new Coronavirus Cases were detected in Pakistan and one death occurred at Mayo Hospital in Lahore wherein a 57-year-old patient identified as Afrasiyab hailing from Sheikhupura lost his life.
Overall by now, 918 people have been tested positive for the COVID-19 virus across Pakistan, which is the 28th highest number in the World.
With 407 Cases, Sindh is the worst affected province followed by Punjab with 267 Cases. 110 Cases have so far been detected in Balochistan, 80 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 38 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 15 in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), and 1 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The Sindh Minister for Education, Labour and Human Resources Saeed Ghani has also been tested positive for the Coronavirus.
گذشتہ روز میں نے کورونا وائرس کا ٹیسٹ کروایا جسکی رپورٹ مثبت آئی ہے تاحال جو Symptoms اس وائرس کے بتائے جاتے ہیں ان میں سے مجھے کچھ محسوس نہیں ہورہا اور میں خود کو بالکل صحتمند محسوس کررہا ہوں اور اپنی ذمہ داریاں گھر پر isolation میں رہ کر ادا کررہا ہوں۔ شہری بھی گھروں پر رہیں pic.twitter.com/2vzS7qt0SY
— Senator Saeed Ghani (@SaeedGhani1) March 23, 2020
Despite strong voices including of opposition parties being raised in the favor of locking down the entire Country, Prime Minister Imran Khan had demonstrated reluctance to impose a complete lockdown or curfew in the Country, saying that it could have serious implications for the Country especially the poor segments of the society may suffer more hardships.
Instead, the prime minister asked the masses to go into self-isolation because taking precautionary measures is better than cure.
Pakistan army called in under Article 245
However, now the federal government has issued orders to deploy the Pakistan army across the Country under Article 245 of the Constitution to assist the civil administration in efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Lockdown imposed in Sindh, Punjab & GB
Separately, the Punjab government has announced to impose a 14-day partial lockdown across the province.
Earlier on Sunday, the Sindh government imposed a 15-day lockdown across the province, barring the people from walking out of their houses unnecessarily. Though medical stores, vegetable shops, and general stores remain open in the province.
حکومت سندھ کی جانب سے لاک ڈاون کے دوران شہریوں کیلئے مرتب کیے گئے ضابطہ اخلاق pic.twitter.com/xcSuOlzMMT
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) March 22, 2020
The Gilgit-Baltistan government has also decided to observe the lockdown in the region for an indefinite period.
In the ICT, Section 144 has been imposed for seven days under which all restaurants and food outlets, coffee shops and cafes shall remain closed at all times; however, the delivery and take away will remain functional.
Restaurants, Coffee shops, Cafes closed. Take away and Home delivery allowed. Major malls closed. All other shops to be closed by 8 pm. However in open shops all SOPs for limited social contact and appropriate precautionary measures to be ensured pic.twitter.com/u7UPRssE3U
— Deputy Commissioner Islamabad (@dcislamabad) March 22, 2020
