Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Friday joined the world community to send condolences over the tragic crash of a Malaysian aircraft in Ukraine.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crashed in eastern Ukraine en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, with 298 people aboard feared dead.

"We are deeply shocked over this tragic incident and share your anguish and pain," Nawaz Sharif said in a message to his Malaysian counterpart.

"In this hour of bereavement and immense grief, the government and people of Pakistan join me to express our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the government and people of Malaysia and to the families of all passengers who were on board the unfortunate flight," he said.

US media has reported that the Malaysian passenger jet that crashed near the Ukraine-Russia border was shot down by missile.