Sharif orders independent probe into PIA flight crash

Sharif chaired a meeting at PM House to inquire about the circumstances around the crash of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) plane en route to Islamabad from Chitral yesterday.

Islamabad, Dec 8: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today ordered an independent probe to determine the cause of PIA flight PK-661 crash that killed all the 48 people on board.

Sharif chaired a meeting at PM House to inquire about the circumstances around the crash of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) plane en route to Islamabad from Chitral yesterday.

In a statement, PMO said that Sharif ordered that a detailed, independent and transparent inquiry into the unfortunate crash be held by the Safety Investigation Board, and that it should be completed at the earliest.

"It is imperative that the truth should be brought out and shared with the people in the shortest possible time," the Prime Minister said.

He also directed that a senior officer from the Air Force should also be co-opted as a member of the inquiry committee. Sharif also directed PIA administration to reach out to the affected families and facilitate them in every way to lessen the burden of their bereavement and grief.

He was briefed about the recovery operations. He was also informed that obtaining the DNA samples from the relatives and identifying all the deceased could take upto a week. He directed that the process should be completed at the earliest.

Chairman PIA, Secretary Aviation Division, DG Civil Aviation and CEO PIA briefed the Prime Minister that the flight crew and pilots, in particular, operating the flight were highly experienced and professional with thousands of hours of flying experience behind them.

The deceased Captain had more than 10,000 flying hours to his credit. Sharif was further briefed that the aircraft had duly undergone routine and regular maintenance and safety checks, and was declared airworthy in all respects. Its last inspections were carried out in July and November this year. The meeting was also attended by Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan and other top government officials.

PTI