An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of crash. — File Photo by AP

KARACHI: A Pakistani fighter jet crashed in the south of the country on Friday while on routine training, an air force official said, but the pilot ejected safely and there were no casualties on the ground.

The Mirage-V plane took off from the Pakistan Air Force's Masroor Base in Karachi and crashed near the town of Sonmiani in Balochistan province, air force spokesman Squadron Leader Mohammad Nadeem told AFP.

Sonmiani is around 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Karachi.

“The pilot ejected successfully and safely,” the spokesman said, adding the cause of the accident would be determined after investigation.

No loss of civilian life or property was reported on ground.

The Pakistan Air Force has a fleet of Chinese aircraft including F-7PGs and A-5s, plus US-built F-16s and French Mirages. It recently acquired JF-17, or Thunder jets, manufactured jointly by China and Pakistan.

Opinion

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...