THIS refers to the Breaking News on some electronic channels on July 24, ‘PAF aircraft crashed into Indus River’. It was really unfortunate that without confirming the news, the electronic media as usual broke the news and later just removed it without apologising for passing the wrong information.

Thanks to the inherent characteristic of the print media of reliability and authenticity on July 25 some newspapers carried the news item, “PAF plane drops fuel tank into Indus”. This news item presented the complete picture which initially the electronic media wrongly reported as an aircraft crash and then included the statement of a PAF spokesman that in fact a fighter jet had jettisoned its fuel tank into the river Indus due to some technical problems.

Being an ex-fighter pilot myself, I must appreciate the extreme alertness, presence of mind and professional ability of that pilot because while facing technical problems, he quickly made the decision whether to continue flying or abandon the aircraft. The priority is always to avoid any loss or damage to precious lives and property on ground. Here the said pilot not only saved the valuable PAF aircraft but made a successful effort by jettisoning the fuel tank into the river, thus avoiding mishap in a populated area.

Here while commending the professional skills of the PAF pilot, I would request electronic media channels to verify the news before breaking it by contacting the organisation concerned and its spokesperson.

SQ LEADER (R) M. HUZAIFA KHAN
Karachi