Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider on Monday announced a three-week lockdown in the territory, which came into effect midnight on Monday.
Only one case of coronavirus has been reported in the AJK so far.
“People will not be allowed to travel unnecessarily [and] will not be allowed to leave their homes,” he said, adding that the suspension of public transport is also a part of the lockdown. “Passes will be issued for travelling during inevitable conditions,” he said.
Only one person will be allowed to procure food items for the family, he said, appealing to the public to remain indoors and asking them to carry their identity card in they have to leave their homes due to unavoidable circumstances. “Passes for media workers will be issued, while emergency services will remain functional,” he added.
Separately, police on Monday claimed to have arrested as many as 315 people for violating lockdown in Karachi. Additional Inspector General of Karachi police said that at least 315 people were arrested for violating lockdown from different areas of the metropolis. He maintained that 46 cases have been registered against the detainees in various police stations.
On Sunday, the Sindh home department had released a notification for the imposition of a complete ban on public movement, social and religious gatherings across the province under Sindh Epidemic Diseases Act 2014 in view of the increase in the number of coronavirus cases. Following the imposition of the lockdown, the movement of people including intercity or interprovincial travel, gathering of any kind for social, religious and any other purpose at any public or private place would remain banned for the next 15 days within the territorial limits of the province.
Over 71 people were also arrested in Jacobabad district on Monday for violating Section 144. Police, army personnel and Rangers are patrolling the city to ensure people stay inside their home.
