Last survivor of 1965 PIA crash in Cairo passes away

Former Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) general manager public affairs Salahuddin Siddique has passed away in London. He was 93.

He was the last one to pass away among the six passengers who survived the 1965 PIA plane crash in Cairo. He retired from the PIA in 1980.

A PIA plane flying from Karachi to Cairo crashed on May 20, 1965, some 20 kilometres away from the Cairo cirport. The inaugural PIA flight was going from Karachi to London via Dhahran in Saudi Arabia and Cairo. There were a total of 128 persons on the ill-fated plane, including passengers and crew.

As many as 122 persons died in the crash, including famous PIA air hostess Momi Gul Durrani. Some 21 journalists and media persons also died in the plane crash including Associated Press of Pakistan Administrator AK Qureshi and National Press Trust Chairman Major General Hayauddin.

Siddique had been living in London for a long time. According to the sources in the bereaved family, he is survived by a son and a daughter.

A spokesperson for the PIA on behalf of the management of the national flag carrier condoled with the bereaved family saying that the PIA would always remember Siddique’s services.