All 47 people on board Pakistani passenger jet are feared dead

A Pakistani jet with 47 people on board has crashed, shortly after losing contact with ground control.

The Pakistan International Airlines ATR-42 aircraft vanished after taking off from the Northern Chitral region, the airline has stated.

Pakistani pop star Junaid Jamshed is believed to be among those who perished when the plane crashed, as his name appears on a passenger list circulated online.

It is also believed two children were among the casualties. 

The national carrier confirmed in a statement that Flight PK-661, from the city of Chitral to Islamabad, had lost contact with air traffic controllers. 

Officials have said it is very unlikely that there will be survivors from the crash.

Taj Muhammad Khan, a government official based in the Havelian region, told Reuters: 'All of the bodies are burned beyond recognition. The debris is scattered.'

He said witnesses had told him that the aircraft had crashed into the mountainous area, and was on fire before it hit the ground.

It is believed that there were 31 men, 9 women and two children on board the flight when it crashed.