Given our laxity and complete disregard for warnings, the government has decided to deploy the army to assist the civil administration in enforcing coronavirus SOPs and other safety precautions in most parts of the country.
The prime minister, in a televised address, said the Pakistan Army has been asked to assist the police and law-enforcement agencies in enforcing COVID-19 SOPs or else we may face a similar situation like India. Just a day later, the army was mobilized in Islamabad and was seen shuttering shops, restaurants, and imposing fines on any violators.
The deployment of the army shows how the civil administration failed in enforcing SOPs. It was often noticed that police failed to ensure the closure of shops and business centres as commercial activities continued unabated. The local administration imposed fines but they would resume the next day often at their behest. The army certainly will deal strictly and take stern action against any violators.
The task of magistrates and commissioners is now being handled by the military. The army has assisted during every catastrophe that has struck the nation, whether it is droughts, floods, or earthquakes by launching relief and rescue missions in every part of the country. Not to forget the numerous sacrifices rendered in the war against terrorism and maintaining peace in the country. Now once again, it is trying to protect us from a potentially cataclysmic wave of the virus.
The deployment of the army also raises questions about the government’s efforts to enforce the SOPs. The prime minister had launched the much heralded ‘Tiger Force’ which was assigned various tasks during the first phase of the pandemic like food distribution and price checks. The volunteer force is now nowhere to seen, raising questions on its mandate and misuse of public resources.
The prime minister issued several warnings and appealed to observe safety precautions. He refrained from imposing complete lockdown to protect the working class. However, all warnings fell on deaf ears and no heed was paid. This has brought us to the current situation where we stand today. If the situation does not improve within a week, the government will have no option but to take drastic decisions.
