PM Nawaz recommends to president to bestow Sitara-e-Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced on Monday that his government would grant a top civil gallantry award, Sitara-e-Pakistan, to the foreign dignitaries, who lost their lives in last week’s tragic helicopter crash in Naltar Valley.
“I am recommending to the president to bestow our civil gallantry award, Sitara-e-Pakistan, on Ambassador Larsen of Norway, Ambassador Lucenario of the Philippines, Madam Habibah binti Mahmud of Malaysia and Madam Heri Listyawati of Indonesia,” said the PM, according to an official handout.
He said as last week’s tragic accident took away the lives of many friends of Pakistan, the entire Pakistani nation was deeply saddened. “An occasion that would have been one of joy and happiness, turned into a traumatic experience,” he added.
The prime minister said the entire Pakistani nation was praying for the speedy recovery of the ambassadors of Indonesia and the Netherlands, who had sustained injuries.
Nawaz Sharif said, “No words can express the deep anguish and distress that my government and the people of Pakistan have felt over the tragic events of the last couple of days.”
Nawaz said, “I assure all the families and the envoys that you will not find us wanting. Pakistan and its people stand by the entire diplomatic community in their hour of grief.”
“I have already instructed that transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased and medical treatment of the injured be carried out on an immediate basis,” he added.
The PM also met families of the victims from Norway, Malaysia and Indonesia at the Foreign Office. Talking to them, the PM expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the Naltar incident. He shared the grief with the bereaved families and said that it was tragic.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 12th, 2015.
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