LAHORE: Acting Punjab Governor Rana Muhammad Iqbal and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif have expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death of ambassadors of Norway and Philippines and wives of ambassadors of Indonesia and Malaysia in a helicopter crash at Gilgit.

They also expressed sorrow over the death of two pilots in the incident. The chief minister said that he himself and people of Punjab equally shared the grief of the families of those who died in the helicopter accident.

HRCP: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Norwegian Ambassador Leif H. Larsen in a helicopter crash in Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday.

In a statement, the commission said: “The HRCP is deeply saddened by the death of Lief Larsen and condoles with the Norwegian government and people, his colleagues at the embassy and to the many Pakistanis who were fortunate enough to know him as a friend.

Our hearts go out to his family and all those close to his heart. Lief was a thorough gentleman and constantly endeavoured to promote human rights. May he rest in peace. In his death, the civil society in Pakistan has lost not only a fine human being and an ally but also a dependable friend.”

JI: Jamaat-i-Islami emir Sirajul Haq and secretary-general Liaquat Baloch have expressed deep grief over the copter cash in Gilgit area causing the deaths of ambassadors of Philippines and Norway and the wives of the envoys of Indonesia and Malaysia.

In a condolence message, they also expressed grief over the death of both pilots and offered their condolences to the families.

PAT: Pakistan Awami Tehreek chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri has condoled the death of seven people in the helicopter crash.

In his message, he said he was grieved and shocked at the loss of precious lives and said the whole nation stands with the bereaved families.

PTI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhry, general secretary Dr Yasmin Rashid and information secretary Andleeb Abbas also expressed their deep grief over the helicopter crash in Naltar Valley.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2015

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