ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan mourns the death of seven people including two foreign envoys and two wives of diplomats in Friday’s tragic Naltar incident of the Mi-17 helicopter crash. PM has deputed three federal ministers to take the bodies of foreign envoys to their respective countries, according to local media sources.
The bodies will be given a guard of honor before the formal sendoff today. The PM Sharif said the tragic crash has saddened the entire nation. The national flag will be taken down to half mast at all government buildings today, stated a local media outlet.
Soon after the incident, PM Sharif announced to observe countrywide mourning over seven people in the helicopter cash.
Three Ministers to Fly Bodies of Foreigners To Their Lands
Meantime, PM Sharif tasked three federal ministers to take bodies of the envoys and spouses of foreign ambassadors who lost their lives in the tragic copter crash on Friday morning, according to local media reported.
These include Lt. Gen. (Retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch (Norway), Ahsan Iqbal (Malaysia and Indonesia) and Khurram Dastagir Khan (Philippines), a press release issued by the PM Office here said, said sources.
The ministers would take the bodies on board special planes as a gesture of respect and to show the importance Pakistan attaches with its relations to these countries conveying heartfelt condolences from the government and the people of Pakistan.
Sharif Phones Norway’s PM Erna Solberg
Nawaz Sharif yesterday called up Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg and extended condolences on the sad demise of Norwegian Ambassador in Pakistan, stated sources.
The Norwegian Ambassador was one of the victims who lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Naltar area of Gilgit, authorities reported.
“We will do our best to look after the families of deceased diplomats,” the Prime Minister said.
He said entire Pakistani nation was heartbroken on this incident and shared the grief and anguish of the Norwegian nation, authorities stated.
He conveyed his personal condolences to the family of the deceased ambassador, which the Norwegian PM promised to convey.
The Norwegian Prime Minister thanked the Prime Minister Sharif for his timely efforts and also for the decision of observing a day of mourning.
President of Maldives, Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Friday made a phone call to Prime Minster Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to condole the tragic accident in Naltar Valley, authorities stated.
Maldives President Shares Grief With Sharif
The President of Maldives expressed his condolences for the bereaved families over the loss of precious lives of their beloved ones and conveyed sympathies for the injured, authorities reported.
The Prime Minister shared details of the accident with the President of Maldives and thanked him for his solidarity and support in the hour of national grief, according to sources.
