Pak hospitality leaves Indians awestruck

[Baby Leone]

NEW DELHI: The relief aircraft which travelled to Nawabshah airport in Sindh, Pakistan was supposed to refuel itself for the return journey as well as the stranded plane. But in their haste, Indian officials forgot to carry something called the 'Shell' card with which they would have paid for the fuel.

Pakistan came to the rescue. PIA officials spoke to DGCA and Air India here and it was PIA that forked out the cost of the fuel that was needed for both planes. "They did everything," said an Indian official. "We couldn't have asked for more."

The Air India plane AI-940 had landed in deserted Nawabshah airport around 3 am after emergency procedures were set in motion. Air India authorities instantly alerted the foreign office in New Delhi and the Indian high commission in Islamabad.

Foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai spoke to Sharat Sabharwal, India's high commissioner in Islamabad, while senior officials here spoke to Salman Bashir, Pakistan's high commissioner-designate in Delhi. The foreign office in Islamabad was roused as well.

Indian officials involved in the rescue operation said the Pakistani system worked at lightning speed. The DGCA was given speedy flight clearances from Pakistani civil aviation authorities. Their interior ministry even offered to give all 126 passengers and six crew members interim visas for Pakistan if they needed to stay for an extra day while the plane was repaired.

After the passengers landed, MEA special secretary Ashok Tomar said, "I just want to say that the flight with the passengers has just landed as also the original flight AI-940 with the baggage is on its way back and should be landing soon. The aircraft and the passengers got good cooperation from the Pakistani authorities and we are happy this situation has ended now and passengers are back.

"Passengers were very well treated by the Pakistani authorities. They had to get the equipment necessary for getting the problem sorted out, so the engineers had to go and put things together. Pakistani authorities were very positive and helpful."

Pakistani hospitality was extended to all the passengers who were given food and water at the airport. For Indian officials, the credit for the ease with which the rescue operation went off was attributable to the Pakistani side.

Pak hospitality leaves Indians awestruck - The Times of India

strange to see the sane news in indian media about Pakistan & reality...:O

 

[Cherokee]

Some times when our Media is not Brain Farting and war Mongering they do give some good news .

 

[agamdilawari]

They were praising Pak authorities on NDTV as well last night in prime time for the services they offered and their help. Well done

 

[Mirza Jatt]

NEW DELHI: The relief aircraft which travelled to Nawabshah airport in Sindh, Pakistan was supposed to refuel itself for the return journey as well as the stranded plane. But in their haste, Indian officials forgot to carry something called the 'Shell' card with which they would have paid for the fuel.

Pakistan came to the rescue. PIA officials spoke to DGCA and Air India here and it was PIA that forked out the cost of the fuel that was needed for both planes. "They did everything," said an Indian official. "We couldn't have asked for more."

The Air India plane AI-940 had landed in deserted Nawabshah airport around 3 am after emergency procedures were set in motion. Air India authorities instantly alerted the foreign office in New Delhi and the Indian high commission in Islamabad.

Foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai spoke to Sharat Sabharwal, India's high commissioner in Islamabad, while senior officials here spoke to Salman Bashir, Pakistan's high commissioner-designate in Delhi. The foreign office in Islamabad was roused as well.

Indian officials involved in the rescue operation said the Pakistani system worked at lightning speed. The DGCA was given speedy flight clearances from Pakistani civil aviation authorities. Their interior ministry even offered to give all 126 passengers and six crew members interim visas for Pakistan if they needed to stay for an extra day while the plane was repaired.

After the passengers landed, MEA special secretary Ashok Tomar said, "I just want to say that the flight with the passengers has just landed as also the original flight AI-940 with the baggage is on its way back and should be landing soon. The aircraft and the passengers got good cooperation from the Pakistani authorities and we are happy this situation has ended now and passengers are back.

"Passengers were very well treated by the Pakistani authorities. They had to get the equipment necessary for getting the problem sorted out, so the engineers had to go and put things together. Pakistani authorities were very positive and helpful."

Pakistani hospitality was extended to all the passengers who were given food and water at the airport. For Indian officials, the credit for the ease with which the rescue operation went off was attributable to the Pakistani side.

Pak hospitality leaves Indians awestruck - The Times of India

strange to see the sane news in indian media about Pakistan & reality...:O

am surprised that you really feel strange about it. Deep inside we all know how either of us would have treated each other in a situation like this. anyways..a nice gesture from pakistani authorities.

 

[Wet Shirt Contest]

From article

+ Their interior ministry even offered to give all 126 passengers and six crew members interim visas for Pakistan if they needed to stay for an extra day while the plane was repaired.

+ Passengers were very well treated by the Pakistani authorities. They had to get the equipment necessary for getting the problem sorted out, so the engineers had to go and put things together

+ Pakistani hospitality was extended to all the passengers who were given food and water at the airport

In addition they even Paid for the fuel

Points I like! Very Good News

 

[foxbat]

For once ToI will not be termed as ToIlet Media on this forum..

@topic, awesome gesture.. Would have been a normal protocol between any other 2 countries, but given the history between India and Pakistan, truly a step in the right direction

 

[Pakistanisage]

When you are in our house, you are our guest and we do look after our GUEST.

 

[neutral_person]

Thanks to Pakistanis for taking care of the situation!

 

[angeldust]

From what I read, the passengers never left the airplane while it was on the tarmac for over 11 hours. Apparently citing "security reasons." Also, the offer for food was not taken, and only water was taken on board. Good job by the Pakistanis on this one.

 

[Markus]

From what I read, the passengers never left the airplane while it was on the tarmac for over 11 hours. Apparently citing "security reasons." Also, the offer for food was not taken, and only water was taken on board. Good job by the Pakistanis on this one.

Passengers were taken to the airport in small batches. They were given refreshments.

The Indian plane which went to take them carried the full meals as it was also Air India's reponsibility to take care of food supplies.

 

[Baby Leone]

From what I read, the passengers never left the airplane while it was on the tarmac for over 11 hours. arently citing "security reasons." Also, the offer for food was not taken, and only water was taken on board.d job by the Pakistanis on this one.

FYI an indian rep to tht news...

family memebers were on that plane , what i understand and hear is that Pakistani officials strictly made sure All Veg dishes are made or chicken is served to the passengers. Immigration officers were there and offered 24 hour visa without interview and five doctors were on hand for any medical emergencies. All passengers were very pleased with this and no one was under any stress and food was great."

 

[FullMetalJacket]

Good on you, Pakistanis!

 

[ajtr]

pakistanis being good host looked after indians.Indians being bad guest always badmouth pakistan on every forum.

 

[The bridge]

Since it came from ToI, is it credible/ Isn't there any neutral source?

On a serious note, general population on both sides do not have anything against each other. Any sensible and civilised country would have treated the passengers like that only and Pakistan in general is no different.

It appears, the officials of PIA are not PDF members yet. Anyway very good gesture and should be reciprocated suitably.

 

[Baby Leone]

and replies of most of the hindu extremists to pakistani hospitality on the same site are really disappointing, seems Pakistani are jerks who offer hospitality to every tom & dick....

PS: above comments are after reading comments of those idiots hindu extremists on tht news