ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has assured families and envoys of the countries affected by Naltar helicopter crash that they would not find Pakistan wanting in this hour of trial.
He was speaking at a reference held at Foreign Office in Islamabad on Monday afternoon in memory of those killed in the copter crash on Friday last. PM Nawaz Sharif said the Government and people of Pakistan stand by entire diplomatic community in the hour of grief.
Nawaz Sharif said he has already given instructions for transportation of mortal remains of the deceased and medical treatment to the injured on immediate basis. Foreign Office has also been directed to liaise with its missions abroad and relevant departments to ensure speedy and timely completion of all formalities. The diplomats, killed in the Naltar incident, were strong supporters of forging closer relations between Pakistan and their countries.
The Prime Minister announced award of Sitara-e-Pakistan to the deceased ambassadors of Norway and Philippines and deceased wives of ambassadors of Malaysia and Indonesia.
Earlier, the Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry addressing the reference said it was 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.
Speaking on this occasion, 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 the northern Pakistan 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 Pakistan Government for support and facilitation both in Gilgit and Islamabad extended to affected people.
