PM Nawaz announces Sitara-e-Pakistan to deceased diplomats

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Speaking at reference in memory of those killed at Naltar, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says entire nation stands by diplomatic community in hour of grief.

The premier has also assured families and envoys of the countries affected by Naltar helicopter crash that they would not find Pakistan wanting in this hour of trial.

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.

The prime minister informed the gathering that he had already given instructions for transportation of mortal remains of the deceased and medical treatment to the injured on immediate basis.

“The 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,” Nawaz Sharif added.

He also announced award of Sitara-e-Pakistan to the deceased ambassadors of Norway and Philippines and deceased wives of ambassadors of Malaysia and Indonesia.

On the occasion, PM Nawaz also paid tribute to the pilots of Pakistan Army who sacrificed their lives in a bid to save the foreign diplomats during the copter crash.

“As we are speaking of our loss, we should not forget those martyrs who showed such a courage and valour during the crash and sacrificed their lives while trying their best to land the chopper safely,” the prime minister stated.

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry, while 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 side of the country 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. By no means there was an iota of possibility of act of terrorism or sabotage, he stressed.

The Argentinean envoy thanked the Pakistani government for support and facilitation both in Gilgit and Islamabad extended to the people affected by Naltar tragedy.