ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the country's aviation authority, navy, and air force to use “all available resources” and to step up search-and-rescue operations in the Arabian Sea after a cargo aircraft carrying five crew members disappeared while en route from the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

PM Sharif also expressed condolences over the disappearance of the K2 Airways cargo aircraft and extended sympathies to the families of the five crew members, according to the PMO’s media wing.

The Boeing 737 cargo aircraft was flying from Sharjah to Karachi on July 7 when it reported a navigational system problem at 9:18 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) stated.

The Karachi Area Control Center immediately provided navigational guidance.

PAA reported that the aircraft was seen on radar making a rapid descent and a sharp heading change at 9:21 p.m. local time. Radar and radio contact were then lost about 155 nautical miles (287 kilometers) west of Karachi.

The Rescue Coordination Centre was activated after contact with the aircraft was lost, prompting a multi-agency search-and-rescue operation in the Arabian Sea.

According to Pakistani officials, the Pakistan Navy deployed the warship PNS Zulfiqar to the search area. A Pakistan Air Force Saab aircraft and a Pakistan Navy ATR aircraft also joined the operation.

The Pakistan Navy ATR aircraft departed from Turbat to support the aerial search, while the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation's merchant vessel Lahore was deployed to assist the operation.

The PAA reported that five crew members were on board the aircraft when contact was lost.

cargo airplane

Pakistan PM orders to use ‘all available resources’ in K2 Airways search