February 21, 2003	Friday	Zul Hijjah 19, 1423

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LAHORE, Feb 20: Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi visited the residence of Director General Rangers, Gen Hussain Mehdi on Thursday and expressed deep sense of grief and sorrow over the sad demise of his sister and brother-in-law, Mushaf Ali Mir.

The CM described the plane crash as a national tragedy. He also paid rich tributes to the late officers for rendering meritorious services for Pakistan.

Governor Balochistan Abdul Qadir said in Quetta: “I am deeply shocked to hear the tragic news of the plane crash in which the air chief, his wife and his comrades lost their precious lives. This is indeed a national loss the effects of which would be felt for a very long time”.

Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Mir Mohammed Yousuf said the crash had deprived the nation of its best air defence officers.

NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah, while expressing his deep shock and grief over the death of PAF chief and his associates, paid tributes to the services rendered by these officers.

Parliamentary leader and president of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Shujat, in a condolence message from London, said the late Mushaf Ali Mir was his close friend and an excellent fighter pilot.

Parliamentary leader of MMA and chief of Jamaat-i-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmad also expressed his grief and sorrow over the PAF plane tragedy.

Federal Minister for Industries Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Muhammad Afzal Sahi, Chairman Pakistan Muslim League (N) Raja Zafarul Haq and others also expressed their shock over the tragedy.