PM orders to make public reports of all plane crashes
Ghulam Sarwar says provisional findings concerning the latest crash on June 22
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Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday directed the relevant quarters to present and make public the reports on all the 12 plane crashes recorded in the history of Pakistan. The people have the right to know the facts, he added.
Chairing a meeting where the PIA and CAA officials briefed the prime minister on the tragic crash, Imran asked why the reports on previous 12 accidents were not published and added that the report on the Karachi plane crash should be completed at the earliest.
Later, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said the preliminary report on the Karachi plane crash will be presented before the National Assembly and the nation on June 22.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Ghulam Sarwar also promised that the reports on all the 12 plane crashes – involving PIA in 10 while Airblue and Bhoja in one each – happening in Pakistan’s history would soon be completed and made public. No one would be spared or protected, he added.
Who is responsible for the crash in everyone’s concerns, he said and said the inquiry would be free, fair and impartial.
The minister said the investigation board was formed with cabinet’s approval, which had the powers to include anyone in the probe.
When asked about the removal of plane wreckage and debris from the site, Ghulam Sarwar said the process had been started after the arrival of the Airbus team under its supervision.
About the demands to make the PALPA representatives in the inquiry team and the PPP’s stance on the issue, he said no one could be included in the investigation process according to someone’s wishes and asked the people not to politicise the issue.
About the damage caused on the ground, the minister said 12 to 15 houses were damaged as well as several cars and bikes destroyed in the incident.
He said 51 bodies had so far been identified through DNA testing. Apart from initially payment of Rs1 million, the actual compensation would be paid by the insurance company, Ghulam Sarwar added.
The government and CAA too would compensate the affected families, if and when required, said the minister.
Ghulam Sarwar also justified the Pakistan Air Force personnel running the PIA affairs, especially CEO Arshad Malik, saying they were comparatively better than others.