Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Pakistan Navy, and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to intensify search and rescue operations in the Arabian Sea following the disappearance of a private cargo plane en route from Sharjah to Karachi.The Boeing 737-400 aircraft, operated by K2 Airways, lost contact with radar approximately 300 kilometers west of Karachi late on Tuesday night.The pilot reported a navigation problem and requested assistance from the area control center.State-run Radio Pakistan reported that the PM extended sympathies to the families of the five crew members.

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) stated the plane reported a navigational issue at 9:18pm, was guided by the Karachi Area Control Center, but then rapidly descended and changed heading before losing radar contact.

FlightRadar data reveals the aircraft, registered as AP-BOI, had a complex history including service with Aeroflot, Garuda Indonesia, and TNT Airways before joining K2 Airways in 2024.The incident underscores the need for enhanced aviation safety measures and coordination among rescue agencies.