ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has responded to “unnecessary controversy” after not attending the funeral of the army officers who embraced martyrdom in the Balochistan helicopter crash.

The president issued a statement after it was reported that he did not attend the funeral after the ongoing hateful campaign on social media. There were even reports that the president was advised against visiting and avoid any untoward incident.

In a series of tweets, the president posted a clarification after not attending the funeral prayers and condemned the hateful social media campaign against him.

“There is unnecessary controversy on why I did not attend janaza of the shaheeds recently,” the president said. He condemned in “unequivocal terms the despicable tweets by those who are neither aware of our culture or our religion”.

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There is unnecessary controversy on why I did not attend Janaza of the Shaheeds recently. This gives me an opportunity to condemn in unequivocal terms the despicable tweets by those who are neither aware of our culture or our religion.

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) August 5, 2022

President Alvi underscored that he has called hundreds of families, attended funerals and visited them to offer his condolences — stressing that he does not keep away during such occasions.

“On your behalf, I consider it my duty to do so. The families have been proud, but we all recognise the sad and personal loss in this world,” President Alvi said.

He said it is especially difficult to condole with families where young children are the survivors. “When the family members have cried, I have cried. There is no doubt in my mind that Pakistan is safe only because of their ultimate sacrifices. That is what makes me proud of Pakistan.”

It is specially difficult to condole with families where young children are the survivors. When the family members have cried, I have cried. There is no doubt in my mind that Pakistan is safe only because of their ultimate sacrifices. That is what makes me proud of Pakistan۔

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) August 5, 2022

However, President Alvi telephoned the grieved families of the Pakistan Army officers who were martyred in a helicopter crash in Balochistan.

The president talked to Captain Ahmed Ali, son of Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali and expressed his condolences to the family.

He also talked to Saad, the young son of Brigadier Khalid and Major Asad, brother of Brigadier Amjad Hanif and expressed his condolences to the family.

He condoled the death of young Naik Mudassar Fayyaz with his family and the father of co-pilot Major Talha Mannan. He also called Squadron Leader Ameer Ali, brother of Major Saeed Ahmed.

Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Babar Iftikhar has also condemned the negative propaganda on social media which was launched after the helicopter crash.

“We have been distressed since the accident on August 1. The propaganda has caused immense pain, particularly to the families of the martyrs,” Maj Gen Iftikhar said.

Maj Gen Iftikhar said that elements spreading negative propaganda and rumours should be rejected. “Insensitive behaviour is unacceptable and should be condemned on every platform,” he asserted, adding that the Pakistan Army is grateful for the nation which stands by them and the martyrs.

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