Dubai: A Pakistan Army major has become the latest victim of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
Major Muhammad Asghar contacted the virus while performing the duty of screening the people at Torkham border. He died of coronavirus at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Peshawar, where he was brought with breathing difficulties, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) -- media wing of Pakistan armed forces. He was stationed at the Torkham border with Afghanistan to ensure precautionary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus among people crossing the border. Torkham border is a main crossing point between Pakistan and Afghanistan used by hundreds of people every day.
The ISPR tweet says that Major Muhammad Asghar laid his life in the line of duty at Torkham border in fight against COVID-19. He was evacuated to CMH Peshawar with breathing problems and put on ventilator but succumbed to coronavirus.
Paying tribute to the soldier, Chief Miniser of Khyber Pakhutnkhwa Mahmood Khan tweeted: “We are proud of Major Asghar Shaheed [martyr]. He was a brave & a committed son of the soil. A soldier who loved his motherland and sacrificed his life for the nation. Salute to brave Major Muhammad Asghar. May his soul rest in peace and endow his family with patience to bear the loss.”
Coronavirus pandemic outbreak in Pakistan is spreading across the country. According to official tally on Monday morning, more than 31000 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Pakistan while 667 people have died and 8212 patients have recovered.
Earlier, Pakistan Army Chief Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa called for national unity in the fight against Covid-19.
“We must rise together irrespective of caste, colour, creed and religion fighting as one nation. The task is daunting … we have overcome difficult situations before. This time the challenge is entirely different,” the Army Chief said in a recent statement.
He also directed troops deployed for the anti-Covid-19 campaign to reach out to every citizen for protecting them from the disease and providing relief.
“The armed forces will stand shoulder to shoulder with the nation to guard the border between people and Covid-19,” he added.
