London-based journalist Safina Khan has drawn widespread criticism in Pakistan for her insensitive tweet regarding Thursday's tragic Air India passenger aircraft crash, with many netizens calling her "shameful and heartless".

 

“Not only Rafales grounded, Indian passenger planes have also been crashing. According to reports so far, 130 people have lost their lives. Indian pilots need to get training from Pakistan's Air Force (sic),” the journalist wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.

 

 

The aircraft, which was carrying more than 242 passengers, including 12 crew members, plunged 33 seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad city, slamming into buildings near the airport. The crash claimed over 290 lives, with one lone survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.

 

According to Air India authorities, the passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. 

 

The aircraft crash sent shockwaves around the world, with condolences pouring in across borders over the tragic loss of lives.

 

Safina’s tweet was widely assailed by internet users in Pakistan. One wrote in reply, “I’m sorry for being rude, but quite literally shame on you.”

 

“Madam! In such a situation, one should sympathize with others, be they friends or enemies. This is what suits the civilized people. Becoming a pilot takes a lot of hard work. God forbid, if such an incident happens here tomorrow, what will be your statement? In any case, may Allah have mercy on all creatures for the sake of His beloved,” another user said.

 

 

A netizen, while reminding the journalist of the PIA plane crash in Karachi in 2020, asked: “Who were the pilots when the passenger plane crashed in Karachi? Don't tweet like this about a technical glitch.”

 

 

“Couldn't believe my eyes when I read this. Beyond shameful. No empathy, humanity,” said another netizen.

 

 

Journalist Khurram Iqbal called Safina “heartless” for her tweet. Sharing the screenshot of Safina’s tweet, he wrote in a caption, “This was a natural accident in which innocent people lost their lives. Every person with a heart feels sorrow and grief over it. Only a ruthless and heartless person can mock such an incident or criticise it in any way. It is truly a matter of sorrow.”

 

 

Calling Safina a “shameful attention seeker” at the time of the tragedy, journalist Asad Ali Toor on his official X handle wrote, “More than 240 families lost their loved ones and in this moment of grief, this shameful attention seeker is point scoring on a tragedy.. What pathetic desi character of London, thank you @BBhuttoZardari for not letting this cheapster take a selfie with you!”