Rise together irrespective of creed or religion: Bajwa

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said “only through a coherent national effort we can address all vulnerabilities before they turn into threats” while attending a high-level special briefing about Covid-19 at the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday.

“The planned measures, if implemented timely will contribute to safety and well being of every Pakistani and society at large,” Gen Bajwa said, according to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives and focal person for national effort for Covid-19 Asad Umar, Minister for Interior Brig (retd) Ijaz Shah, Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar, Minister for Communications and Postal Services Murad Saeed, Minister Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Minister for National Food Security and Research Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, SAPM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, SAPM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, SAPM on National Security Moeed Yusuf and SAPM on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Sania Nishtar as well as senior military officials attended the briefing.

The forum was briefed about latest situation on containment efforts and enforcement measures against Covid-19 and troops deployment across the country assisting the federal and provincial administrations in aid of civil power. The Army chief said: “All necessary measures to ensure public safety are being taken. We cannot afford to leave any segment of the society at the mercy of this pandemic. Troops on ground must reach out to citizens in every nook and corner of Pakistan not only to protect them against this pandemic but also for bringing comfort in this hour of distress.”

“Only through a coherent national effort we can address all vulnerabilities before they turn into threats. The planned measures, if implemented timely will contribute to safety and well being of every Pakistani and society at large,” Gen Bajwa reiterated.

“We must rise — and rise together irrespective of caste, colour, creed and religion fighting as one nation. The task at hand is daunting, but we have overcome difficult situations before. This time the challenge is entirely different. Armed Forces will stand shoulder to shoulder with nation to guard the border between people and Covid-19.

“Pakistan Army being part of national effort will not leave any stone unturned for security and safety of people of Pakistan,” Gen Bajwa concluded.

The forum expressed complete satisfaction over the measures taken thus far and also dilated upon future course of action. The NCOC is serving as a nucleus for one window operation to synergise and articulate the national effort against Covid-19, optimise informed decision making and ensure implementation of decisions of National Security Committee (NSC) and National Coordination Committee (NCC), the ISPR said. Commander Army Air Defence Command, Lieutenant General Hamood Uz Zaman Khan has been designated as chief coordinator NCOC.