The federal government has formally approved the deployment of the army in Sindh to combat Covid-19. The centre acted on the request of the provincial government. 

Had the Sindh government opted for army deployment earlier, the situation would have been different, Federal Information Minister Fawad Ch told the media after a meeting of the federal cabinet with PM Imran Khan in the chair on Tuesday.

The minister said he hoped the Sindh government would pay special attention to the implementation of SOPs and with the deployment of army personnel, things would hopefully improve there.

The cabinet was informed that the lowest implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to the coronavirus was recorded in Sindh while there was stability and decrease in Covid-19 cases in Punjab and Khyber Pakthunkhwa.

Fawad Ch said the lockdown during the Eid holidays is aimed at stemming the spread of pandemic.  The cabinet was told that at least 23 million people will be vaccinated by July. 

Election reforms 

The cabinet okayed two ordinances as part of the electoral reforms to enable the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) and take steps to give voting rights to overseas Pakistanis.

Fawad said initially 24 desks were being set up at the foreign embassies for issuance of inheritance certificates, and the overseas Pakistanis would not be required to come to Pakistan for the purpose.

The cabinet also approved issuing a commemorative coin on the completion of 100 years of NED University Karachi and a 90-day remission to prisoners on Eidul Fitr.