Javed Rana


Press TV, Islamabad

Pakistan has called out army to help police and other paramilitary personnel to enforce strict precautionary measures in bazaars and streets to contain what the government says a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases.

Prime Minister, Imran Khan, in a televised address warned the nation that his country may soon be facing a grim situation similar to that of India where on an average 2000 people die everyday and more than 300,000 test positive.

Under a new decision, Pakistan has shut down schools in regions with a surge in COVID-19. All markets would be closed by 6 pm. Indoor and outdoor dining have also been banned. Only 50 percent staff would be allowed to work in private and government offices while the offices would be closed at 2 pm.

The government has warned the people should get ready to face complete lockdown of major urban centers if they do not put up masks on their faces to contain the virus.

A survey conducted by Gallap Pakistan last month reported that 65 percent of people believe that the government is exaggerating the threats of COVID-19.

A significant number of people suffer from allergy linked diseases such as cough, flue, fever and asthma and many of them die in spring weather in parts of Pakistan every year. However, since last year, the medical nomenclature have changed and most of these diseases now have been officially classified as covid-19 cases under what is medically known as PCR testing which many medical experts believe are churning out false positive cases.