Published 07:18 IST, April 3rd 2020

Pakistan Army chief Bajwa & Afghanistan's Ghani talk trade amid Covid; exclude Imran Khan

Imran Khan's absence in crucial foreign policy decision-making during a health crisis revived the theory that it is, in fact, Qamar Bajwa's Army pulling strings

Reported by: Aishwaria Sonavane
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In wake of Coronavirus outbreak, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani held a telephonic conversation with Pakistan's Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday. In phone conversation that excluded Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan, Ghani and Bajwa discussed extant health crisis, yet again bringing to focus military's role in Pakistan's governance.  

In conversation reported by TOLO news, Afghan President and  Pakistan's Army chief decided to form a peace negotiation team against Coronavirus, trade, and transit. Both countries agreed to take necessary steps to aid transfer of goods in Afghanistan. 

Imran Khan's absence in crucial foreign policy decision-making during a health crisis revived ory that it is, in fact, Qamar Bajwa's Army pulling strings within Pakistan and puppeteering Pakistani premier. Pakistan has currently blocked its border crossings with neighbouring Iran and Afghanistan on March 16 and is w extended until April 9. Imran Khan on Monday anunced formation of 'Corona Relief Tiger Force' to battle Coronavirus along with Pakistani government and Qamar Bajwa-led Army. Force will be responsible for delivering essential goods, food, eng in awareness campaign, quarantine manment and so on. 

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READ| Ex-Pak PM Abbasi shames Imran Khan over Covid & says 'shut up', contrasts him with PM Modi

Pak Army wades into COVID-19 war

Pakistan's Army on March 29 anunced completion of deployment of troops across country, for assisting civil authorities to contain spread of Coronavirus. deployment was approved by Bajwa on March 23, on request of Interior Ministry of Pakistan.  Pakistani Army has urged its citizens to be indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.

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This comes as Pakistan confirmed 2,419 positive Coronavirus cases on Friday morning with--761 cases in Sindh province, 311 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 920 in Punjab, 169 in Balochistan, 9 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and 187 in Gilgit. Out of which, 34 have died while 107 have recovered. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on March 22 ruled out complete lockdown in country, saying it will create chaos and urged people to self-quarantine to curb spread of coronavirus. 

READ| Pakistan PM Imran Khan tests positive for Coronavirus?

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07:18 IST, April 3rd 2020