Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep condolences over the tragic loss of lives in the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara area.

In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister wrote, “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the aircraft crash at Milestone School in Dhaka. My heartfelt condolences to the people of Bangladesh, especially the families of the victims, many of them young children. Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Bangladesh in these difficult moments.”

At least 20 people, including the pilot of the F-7 BGI training aircraft, were killed when the jet crashed onto the campus of Milestone School and College around 1:18pm on Monday (July 21). 171 were injured and are receiving treatment at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery and the Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

The Government of Bangladesh declared Tuesday (July 22) a national day of mourning. Flags were flown at half-mast at all government offices, educational institutions, and Bangladeshi missions abroad. Special prayers were also held in religious institutions for the deceased and injured.

MSK/