February 24, 2003	Monday	Zul Hijjah 22, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: Former Pakistan Air Force chief Air Marshal Nur Khan has said the Thursday air tragedy in which valuable lives were lost was a major blow to the country.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, he said the enormity of the loss could be measured by the fact that in the entire 1965 war, the total loss to the PAF was 17 men, the same number which lost their lives in the Thursday tragedy.

He described those who perished in the crash as “the cream” of the PAF as according to him only the best flew with the air chief, “and those who pilot these VIP flights, too, have to be the best of the lot”.”

The former air chief said landings and take offs in air fields like Kohat airbase required practice, “and more practice”. “Out of practice pilots normally do not fly a Fokker to Kohat, especially if it is a VIP flight,” he added.

He lauded the services of the late air force chief, Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir, giving him full credit for the marked improvement in the professionalism and moral of his men, witnessed during his short period in office.

“He had succeeded in projecting an improved image of the air force,” Mr Khan added. He also extolled the services of Mrs Mir for the welfare of the families of airmen.

“The challenges faced by the nation today, and the future developments demand that we keep our armed forces fully prepared to meet any eventuality,” he said.

He advised the government to quickly fill the gap in the force, which had been created by this tragedy and also equip the air force suitably within the resources available.