Black box found, cause of crash to be investigated: Kaira
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira Wednesday said the black box (Flight Data Recorder) of the crashed plane has been found and actual cause of crash would be ascertained after a thorough examination of the black box.
He said an inquiry committee has been constituted which would give its opinion after analysing the black box and completing the inquiry procedure.In an exclusive talk with a news channel, he expressed his heartfelt grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives and said the entire nation is shocked over the sad event.
Kaira said Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani postponed the cabinet meeting and declared a day of national mourning over the tragic incident.
The Prime Minister, he said, along with Chief Ministers of all provinces had an aerial view of the crash site atop Margalla hills.
The private passenger airliner that could not land at Islamabad airport due to bad weather crashed into a 3000 feet high peak in the Margallas at around 10.00 in the morning, killing around 150 passengers and crew.
Answering a question about rescue activities, Qamar Zaman Kaira, who also accompanied the Prime Minister, said soon after the incident rescue teams and people reached the spot to help the survivors, if any.
He said though crash site is very difficult to reach, rescuers are conducting the operation actively.
The Minister prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant the bereaved family the courage to bear the loss with magnanimity.
DNA tests to identify crash victims
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani health officials said Wednesday they would have to use DNA tests to identify charred bodies plucked from the wreckage of an airliner that crashed into hills outside Islamabad.
“Most of the dead bodies are in pieces, only body parts, some of them badly burnt… these can only be identified through DNA,” Mahmood Jamal, chief of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) told reporters.
Officials said rescue workers had collected body parts and pieces of charred flesh into bags.
“Some 300 body bags, 40 blankets and 10 bundles of rope have been air dropped at the crash site,” said the national disaster management authority.
Project Director of Benazir Media University among air crash victims
ISLAMABAD: Project Director of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Media University Farooq Khan is also among victims of the plane crash, Information Ministry sources said.
As many as 146 passengers including two infants, five children and 29 women besides eight crew members were on-board the ill-fated flight ED-202 of Air Blue that crashed into the Margallah hills hereon Wednesday morning.
According to teams carrying out rescue operation, there is hardly any chance of survival.
Fazl must part ways with govt for MMA: Qazi Hussain
LAHORE: Former Amir Jamat-e-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmed Wednesday said Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman will have to part ways with the government for revival of Muttahida Majlis-e-Ammal (MMA).
Talking to media men after a visit to Mansoora Lahore, Qazi Hussain said targeted killings are part of enemy’s conspiracy to fan violence.
He said granting of extension to the Army Chief has not set a good tradition.
Nawaz Sharif’s remaining tight lipped on COAS extension is in line with his policy, he observed.
He ruled out MMA becoming functional again without Fazl-ur-Rehman and Jamat-e-Islami.
Black box not found: Kaira
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira Wednesday denied earlier reports that the black box (Flight Data Recorder) of the crashed plane has been found, Geo News reported.
He also announced for compensation of Rs 0.5 million to the victims.
Earlier in the day, the federal cabinet announced a day of national mourning. He also informed the journalist about a relief camp established in Aab Para, which would start functioning from tomorrow.
The minister said, they would have to use DNA tests to identify charred bodies plucked from the wreckage of the airliner.
