February 21, 2003	Friday	Zul Hijjah 19, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 20: President Gen Pervez Musharraf expressed deep sorrow over the death of Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir in a plane crash on Thursday.

He paid rich tributes to the air chief for his outstanding professional qualities, honesty and integrity.

“Today, Pakistan has suffered a great loss, it’s not only a loss for Pakistan Air Force but a loss for the entire country.”

The president said, personally it was a loss for him because he had a special friendship with him.

“In his death I have lost a friend.”

President Musharraf said, Mushaf Ali Mir was an officer of high professional calibre and an honest person who believed in justice and fair play.

“He was a brave person gifted with the ability to face off dangers boldly. His opinions vis-a-vis facing dangers were based on a professional approach.”

He expressed a deep sense of grief over the loss of precious lives in the crash and offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, went to the “Air House” at Chaklala Air Force Base to condole the tragic death of Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir and his colleagues.

Expressing his heartfelt condolences with the bereaved family members, the PM termed it a “great national loss and tragedy”.

He said: “The nation has lost very experienced and able men.”

He expressed the confidence that the tragedy would not affect the morale and professionalism of PAF, and its officers and jawans would continue to serve their motherland in accordance with their glorious traditions.

Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal, who received the news of the tragedy during a visit to the naval headquarters, rushed to the air headquarters and condoled with the acting Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Syed Qaiser Hussein over the loss of precious lives.

Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said: “I am deeply shocked over this tragic accident and share sympathies with the whole nation at this hour of trial.”

AJK President Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan and Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayyat Khan also condoled the tragic death of PAF chief and his companions.

In their messages, they said the incident constituted a national disaster. They prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls.

Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool said the nation felt grieved over the loss of very senior PAF officers.—APP