COAS for united front as 'one nation' against coronavirus.

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Wednesday said the planned measures to contain coronavirus pandemic if implemented timely, will contribute to safety and well being of every Pakistani and society at large.

Addressing a special briefing at National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) here, the COAS said all necessary measures to ensure public safety are being taken, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said. "We cannot afford to leave any segment of 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," he said.

"Only through a coherent national effort, we can address all vulnerabilities before they turn into threats," the army chief said. "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," he added. "Pakistan Army, being part of national effort, will not leave any stone unturned for security and safety of people of Pakistan," he concluded.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives and Focal Person for COVID-19 Asad Umer, Minister for Interior Brig (r) Ijaz Shah, Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar...