Russian plane with 50 aboard missing in Amur region, Interfax says
Air India received nine notices for safety violations in six months, Indian minister says
SHOT said the plane, operated by the Angara airline, was headed for the town of Tynda in the Amur region bordering China, and was believed to be a few kilometres away from its destination when it lost contact.
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Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Govt bans land travel for Arbaeen pilgrims
Listen to article The federal government banned the overland travel for pilgrims heading to Iraq for the Arbaeen, citing security concerns in the restive Balochistan province, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Sunday. Naqvi said that the decision had been taken after consultations with the Foreign Ministry, the Balochistan government, and the security agencies, adding that the pilgrims would be allowed to travel to Iraq only by air. Arbaeen, marking the 40th day of mourning after Ashura, sees millions of pilgrims, including thousands from Pakistan, travel to Karbala, Iraq, annually. Traditionally, many Pakistani pilgrims journey by road through Balochistan and Iran. However, due to the deteriorating law and order situation in the province — including increased terrorist attacks by Indian proxy outfits — the government deemed the move necessary for public safety and national security. "After extensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Balochistan Government, and security agencies, it has been decided that Zaireen will not be allowed to travel to Iraq and Iran by road for Arbaeen this year," Naqvi posted on X. "Zaireen will, however, be able to travel by air. Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to arrange maximum flights to facilitate their pilgrimage in the coming days," he added. "This difficult decision was taken in the interest of public safety and national security." On the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for arranging flights to facilitate the pilgrims, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced four special flights from Karachi between August 8 and 11, with return flights from Najaf scheduled from August 18 to 21. According to a PIA spokesperson the fare has been set at Rs212,000 per person, and the ticket sales had started. He added that more flights could be scheduled if necessary. Officials said passengers traveling by air individually will have to be sponsored by local people, otherwise they cannot enter Iraq. Meanwhile, private airlines have sharply increased fares, with tickets now ranging between Rs300,000 to Rs350,000. Tour operators estimate group travel expenses at $1,400 per pilgrim, compared to just $550 for land travel. This has raised fears that tens of thousands of low-income pilgrims might be unable to afford the journey. Salars — pilgrim group leaders — argue that the ban that has been announced just 15 days before Arbaeen has caused significant financial losses. They said that many people had already made advance payments for visas, vehicle certifications, and hotel bookings. They demanded that the government allowed supervised bus convoys under security agencies' protection or provide alternative transport arrangements. "This loss isn't borne by the rich but by the poor," a pilgrimage organiser told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymously. He questioned why the ban wasn't announced earlier during a recent trilateral meeting between Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq, where travel restrictions were discussed. During a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Naqvi briefed him on Balochistan's security situation and the new pilgrim policy. The prime minister directed for the initiation of the Gwadar Safe City project to enhance security in the region. Naqvi emphasised the need for better pilgrim management. Starting next year, he said, the pilgrims will only be allowed to travel under officially registered group organisers, with special embassy-issued visas required for independent travel. This system aims to curb illegal travel and overstaying issues. Meanwhile, Naqvi also visited Quetta and Azad Kashmir. In Quetta, he paid tribute to martyred soldiers at the Frontier Corps headquarters, praising their sacrifices in maintaining peace. Later, in Muzaffarabad, he met the family of Major Rab Nawaz, a martyred officer, and offered condolences.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business Recorder
Russian passenger plane turns back to Siberian airport after reporting depressurisation, TASS says
MOSCOW: A Russian passenger plane heading to Sochi from Novosibirsk turned back after reporting a loss of pressure on Friday, state news agency TASS reported. SHOT, a Telegram channel with contacts in Russia's security services, reported that the plane is a Boeing 737 operated by Russia's S7 airline. On Thursday, another Russian passenger plane crashed in the far eastern Amur region, killing all 48 people on board.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business Recorder
Russian plane goes missing in far east with nearly 50 aboard
MOSCOW: Air traffic controllers lost contact on Thursday with an An-24 passenger plane carrying about 50 people in Russia's far east, and a search was under way, the regional governor said. The local emergencies ministry said the plane, operated by a Siberia-based airline called Angara, dropped off radar screens while approaching its destination of Tynda, a town in the Amur region bordering China. Regional governor Vasily Orlov said that according to preliminary data, there were 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members on board. Air India received nine notices for safety violations in six months, Indian minister says 'All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane,' he wrote on Telegram. The emergencies ministry put the number of people on board somewhat lower, at around 40.
