PM recommends Sitara-e-Pakistan for diplomats killed in Gilgit crash

PM says no words can express the deep anguish and distress Pakistan feels after the incident

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recommended on Monday to hand over civil gallantry award, Sitar-e-Pakistan for the diplomats killed in the recent Gilgit crash, Express News reported.

Addressing a condolence ceremony in the wake of the Mi-17 helicopter crash in Naltar Valley of Gilgit, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan has lost many of its great friends in the tragic incident.

“I have conveyed to them my profound condolences to them…Express my deep sense of grief,” he said.

Norwegian envoy Leif H Larsen, Philippines ambassador Domingo D Lucenario Jr, wives of Malaysian and Indonesian ambassadors and two pilots were killed in the incident while Polish ambassador Andrzej Ananiczolish and Dutch ambassador Marcel de Vink sustained injuries.

Philippines ambassador Domingo D Lucenario Jr and Norwegian envoy Leif H Larsen. PHOTOS: NORWAY.ORG.PK/APP

Read: Gilgit crash: Preparations for transporting bodies to respective countries under way

"No words can express the deep anguish and distress Pakistan feels after the incident," the prime minister said.

“Let us not forget the precious Pakistani lives lost in the tragedy,” he added. “Two brave pilots who continued to their efforts to bring the helicopter back under control until the very last moment.”

Nawaz prayed for a quick recovery of those injured in the accident, and hoped that family members of the victims get the patience to bear the loss.

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry read out obituaries of the four members of the diplomatic community killed in the helicopter crash.

Further, 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 said the accident was caused by technical and mechanical failure of helicopter, adding that by no means there was an iota of possibility of act of terrorism or sabotage.

A one-minute silence was also observed by the participants of the reference in memory of those killed in the incident.