National cricket team observes minute of silence for PK-661 crash victims

CAIRNS: Remembering the victims of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-661 on its way to Islamabad from Chitral, the Pakistan cricket team observed a minute of silence at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns on Thursday before their tour match against Cricket Australia XI.

Pakistan mourned the 47 victims of its deadliest plane crash in four years, among them a famed-popstar-turned-religious-scholar, two infants and three foreigners, as officials sought to pinpoint the cause of the disaster.

Engine trouble was initially believed responsible, but many questions remain, stirring new worries about the safety record of money-losing state carrier PIA.

The ATR-42 aircraft involved in the crash had undergone regular maintenance, including an “A-check” certification in October, airline chairman Muhammad Azam Saigol said on Wednesday.

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The aircraft appeared to have suffered a failure in one of its two turboprop engines just before the crash, he said, but this would have to be confirmed by an investigation.

Outpourings of grief erupted online soon after flight PK661 smashed into the side of a mountain near the town of Havelian, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, late on Wednesday afternoon, after taking off from the mountain resort of Chitral. It crashed just 50 km (31 miles) short of its destination, the international airport in Islamabad, the capital.

Pakistanis were shocked to learn about the death of Junaid Jamshed in the crash, the vocalist of Vital Signs, one of Pakistan’s first and most successful rock and pop bands of the 1990s, who abandoned his musical career in 2001 to become more close to the faith of Islam.

Here’s how people from the sports world expressed themselves at Junaid Jamshed’s sudden demise.

Thoughts & prayers go out for Junaid Jamshed’s family & loved ones. His voice and good deeds will resonate with us for ever! RIP my friend.

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) December 7, 2016

My love and prayers go out to Junaids family,friends & devoted fans. We will miss you buddy but your memory will live on #DilDilPakistan

— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) December 8, 2016

Devastated hearing the news of the plane crash. May Allah have mercy on all affected. Thoughts and prayers going out to all #PK116 #Chitral

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) December 7, 2016

My heart goes out to the families whose loved ones were lost. May Allah make it easy. Let’s say Fatiha for all & sp Junaid Jamshed bhai RIP

— Shoaib Malik (@realshoaibmalik) December 7, 2016

I met Junaid Jamshed in June this year with @wasimakramlive . He was extremely courteous and hospitable. And he sang that evening!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 7, 2016

Travel well my https://t.co/qhI6jUHrZQ in a better world now didn’t know I was meeting you for da last time 2 weeks ago… pic.twitter.com/2i91eIQcys

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) December 7, 2016

Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un 🙁 Prayers to the victims and the families of those effected #PK661 #Havelian

— Bismah Maroof (@maroof_bismah) December 7, 2016