Army distributes more than 350,000 ration packages among coronavirus affectees: ISPR

The Pakistan Army has distributed more than 350,000 ration packages to those affected by the coronavirus outbreak in the country, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.

According to ISPR, the army assistance packages were purchased through the contributions of the salary donation announced by DG ISPR last week. It added that the rations were distributed in various areas of Pakistan to daily wagers, physically impaired persons, labourers, widows and needy people and people residing in far-flung areas.

The military’s media wing stated that the initiative was part of the army's efforts in assisting the civil administration in the containment of COVID-19 across the country.

The area-wise details shared by the ISPR said that in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the army distributed rations in Muzaffarabad, Kel, Leepa Valley, Neelum Valley, Jhelum Valley, Bagh, Rawalakot, Bhimber, Kotli and Mirpur. While in Gilgit Baltistan the rations were distributed in Gilgit, Skardu, Jaglot, Astore, Hunza - Nagar, Diamir, Gakhuch and Chilas.

In Balochistan, the army distributed packages in Quetta, Khuzdar, Zhob, Sibbi, Ormara, Awaraan, Taftan, Dalbandeen, Washuk and Panjgur. In Sindh, the rations were distributed in Karachi, Pannu Aqil, Hyderabad, Badin, Chhor, Noshero Feroz.

Also read: Coronavirus outbreak: We cannot afford an 'indefinite lockdown', says DG ISPR

Meanwhile, in Punjab, the army distributed packages in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Murree, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Okara, Khaniwal, Layyah, Rajanpur, Sahiwal, Muzaffargarh, Lahore, Rahim Yar Khan, Melsi, Attock Bahawalnagar, Dera Nawab Sahib, Fort Manro, Faisalabad, Vehari, Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Mangla, Pakpatan, Khushab, Chichawatni, Mian Channo, Jhang, Mianwali, Chakwal, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Kharian, Bhakhar, Hafizabad, Narowal, Chaniot, Toba Tek Singh, Mandi Bahauddin and Gujrat.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the army distributed packages in Risalpur, Peshawar, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Tarbela, Nowshera, Abbottabad, Bajaur, Tank, Miranshah, Khyber, Chirat, Mardan, Warsak, Thal, Mirali, Razmak.

Last week, DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar had in a press conference stated that all resources of the Pakistan Army are being used on the order of the government to tackle the pandemic.

He had also stated that the process of delivering more than 350,000 ration packs was also ongoing during the press conference. He had announced that the rations were purchased from funds pledged from salaries of Pakistan Army employees. He had also added that the soldiers have also decided not to take internal security allowance to help with virus relief.