Air Blue aircraft crash inquiry report presented to PM

ISLAMABAD: The Safety Investigation Board presented an investigation report of Air Blue Flight ABQ-202 to Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday and briefed him in detail about the events that led to the unfortunate accident.

The Prime Minister approved the dispatch of the investigation report for comments to the States of Manufacture and Design which is a requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The comments are to be received within a period of 60 days.

The Prime Minister directed that while waiting for the comments, necessary safety related directives must be issued to all concerned to ensure the safety of lives and equipment.

The Prime Minister was also apprised on the progress of payment of compensation to the affected families. He expressed his concern on the slow pace of compensation and directed that the process including codal formalities be expedited to help the affected families.

Minister for Defence Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar, Secretary Defence Lt Gen (Retd) Athar Ali, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Marshal Muhammad Hasan, Additional Secretary Defence Major General Raja Arif Nazir and DG CAA Air Marshal (Retd) Khalid Chaudhry were also present at the presentation.