May 12 , 2015
News
Foreign Office holds reference for copter crash victims
* Nawaz announces Sitara-e-Pakistan for deceased diplomatsISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has assured families affected by Naltar copter crash that Pakistan would not leave them in the hour of trial.
He was speaking at a reference held at Foreign Office in Islamabad this afternoon in memory of those killed in the accident on Friday last. The premier expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic incident. “Our hearts go out to the bereaved families,” he added.
The event was attended among others by members of the federal cabinet and members of the diplomatic corps in Islamabad.
The PM said the government and people of Pakistan stand by entire diplomatic community in the hour of grief. He said he has already given instructions for transportation of mortal remains of the deceased and medical treatment to the injured on immediate basis. The FO has also been directed to liase with its missions abroad and relevant departments to ensure speedy and timely completion of all formalities. He said, “The least we can do for our dear friends who represented their countries in Pakistan in exemplary fashion. They were strong supporters of forging closer relations between Pakistan and their countries.”
The PM announced to confer Sitara-e-Pakistan on the deceased ambassadors of Norway and Philippines and deceased wives of ambassadors of Malaysia and Indonesia. Nawaz recalled that he and the ambassadors were looking forward to spending Friday afternoon in the beautiful Naltar Valley where a ski resort has newly been built. He said the trip was meticulously planned by the Foreign Office in close coordination with the Pakistan Army and the PAF. However, no one knows what the fate holds in store.
The PM said the nation is saddened and he has already spoken to the leadership of Norway, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines on telephone and conveyed condolences. He also expressed grief and heartfelt condolences with the bereaved families. The PM also paid rich tributes to precious Pakistani lives lost in the tragedy and said the two pilots and the crew tried to save other lives at the cost of their own. They upheld highest traditions of devotion to duty.
He prayed for speedy recovery of all those injured in the accident.
Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry said, “It is a loss which no one can describe, especially for the Foreign Office as we had developed such a close and warm friendship with the deceased.”
He read out obituaries of the four members of the diplomatic community killed in the helicopter crash.
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Argentina Rodolfo Martin Saravia said the tour of diplomats was arranged at his request to appreciate beauty of Gilgit Baltistan and pay tributes to those engaged in Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
He categorically stated that the accident was caused by technical and mechanical failure of helicopter. He said by no means there was an iota of possibility of act of terrorism or sabotage. He thanked the government for support and facilitation both in Gilgit and Islamabad. A one-minute silence was observed in memory of those killed in helicopter crash.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk