Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday telephonically called his Norwegian and Malaysian counterparts to express condolences and shared the grief over Naltar tragedy. According to Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah, the PM telephoned his Norwegian counterpart Erna Solberg to condole the sad demise of Norwegian Ambassador in helicopter crash.
He said the ambassador would be missed and his remains would be sent to Norway as soon as possible and families of the deceased diplomats will be looked after. Khalilullah said that the Prime Minister conveyed his personal condolences to the family of the deceased ambassador, which the Norwegian Prime Minister promised to convey. The spokesperson further said that Norwegian Prime Minister thanked Nawaz Sharif for his timely efforts and also for observing a day of mourning.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also called the Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Sri Mohd Najib, and offered profound condolences to the government and people of Malaysia and the bereaved family, on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, on the sad demise of Madam Datin Habibah, wife of the Malaysian High Commissioner Dato Dr Hasrul Sani Mujtabar, in the tragic helicopter crash.
The Prime Minister conveyed to the Malaysian Prime Minister that the accident occurred during a routine trip organized by Pakistani side to the picturesque Naltar valley, Foreign Office spokesperson said. He said that the PM also conveyed that he himself was on his way to Naltar to have lunch with the envoys when he received this tragic news.
"Madam Habibah was a fine human being. She was an ardent promoter of strong bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Malaysia. She was very popular in social and ladies diplomatic circle in Islamabad. She will be greatly missed", the Prime Minister said while paying tribute to the deceased.
The Prime Minister further stated that the government will be sending mortal remains of Madam Habibah to Kula Lumpur as early as possible. To pay respect to her and keeping in view our close friendly and brotherly relations, one of the Federal Ministers would accompany the dead body of Madam Habibah, the Prime Minister said. The Foreign Office said that Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz also called Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Albert F Del Rosariothe, who is presently in New York. The Adviser offered deep condolences over the loss of life of the illustrious Ambassador of the Philippines, Domingo Lucenario, in a tragic air crash.
The Adviser conveyed to his counterpart that Ambassador Domingo Lucenario played a very positive and active role in elevating the relationship between Pakistan and the Philippines. "His services in this regard would be remembered always. He will be greatly missed by the social and diplomatic circles in Islamabad", Aziz stated this in his conversation.
The Adviser also updated his counterpart on the measures being taken by the government to transport the mortal remains of those who lost their lives to their respective homeland and for the treatment of the injured. The Foreign Secretary of the Philippines also conveyed his condolences over the tragic incident and wished speedy recovery of the injured persons.