Prime Minister Directs Full-Scale Search Operation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Pakistan Navy, and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to intensify search and rescue operations in the Arabian Sea after a private cargo plane vanished from radar late Tuesday night. The aircraft, a K2 Airways Boeing 737-400, was en route from Sharjah to Karachi when it disappeared approximately 300 kilometres west of Karachi, according to state-run Radio Pakistan.
K2 Airways, a private airline based in Karachi, was established in May 2018 after receiving an airline charter licence from the government. Flightradar24 reported that K2 Airways flight #KTA1732 is missing, with preliminary ADS-B data indicating a possible crash in the sea southwest of Karachi.
Loss of Contact and Navigation Issues
According to reports, the aircraft lost contact while approaching Pakistani airspace. The pilot had reported a navigation problem during the flight and requested assistance from the area control centre. The five crew members on board are feared dead, and the Prime Minister extended his heartfelt sympathies to their families.
On Wednesday, the premier directed all available resources to be utilised in the search operation. The CAA, Navy, and PAF are coordinating efforts to locate the missing aircraft and any possible survivors.
Background of K2 Airways
K2 Airways is a relatively new entrant in Pakistan's aviation sector, having been granted a charter licence in 2018. The airline operates cargo flights primarily between the Middle East and Pakistan. The missing Boeing 737-400 is a workhorse of the global cargo industry, known for its reliability.
The disappearance has raised concerns about aviation safety in the region, though officials have not yet speculated on the cause of the incident. Search operations are ongoing, with naval vessels and aircraft scouring the Arabian Sea.
