An investigation committee of Lahore High Court Bar Association Multan comprising Khalid Ashraf Khan, Mian Adil Mushtaq, Shaikh Naveed Goreja, Khalid Ibne-Aziz, Badar Gilani, Chaudhry Ahmed Nadeem, Muhammad Nadeem Kanju, with three journalists Naveed Anjum Shah, Muhammad Yousaf Abid and Chaudhry Muhammad Arshad has demanded for a judicial probe into the plane crash because PIA and other concerned authorities were trying to destroy the evidences.
The committee visited the site of accident of a Fokker plane (PK-688) causing death of 45 people including 41 passengers." We are confident that Fokker plane crashed due to the negligence of PIA authorities because all the witnesses confirmed that plane was already in the grip of fire and it was falling towards ground destroying the mango trees, however it is undeniable fact that pilot saved the populated area from destruction."
The members briefed the journalists here on Tuesday. The committee recorded the statements of those eyewitnesses who had gone underground to escape from the investigation of police.
During the briefing to press on Tuesday the committee member did not disclose the names of the eyewitnesses except landowner Ghulam Yaasin. Khalid Ashraf Khan alleged that PIA officials were concealing the facts to hide their faults/errors.
According to the committee, one of the witness said," I saw a plane at the lowest altitude which was coming to the ground destroying the mango trees and its right side was in the grip of fire. I saw a woman who jumped out from the plane and then plane fell on the ground hitting a mud-wall. Its fan hit the electric wire which fell on the plane adding to the flames." He further said that pilot was trying to jump out of the plane but his leg was entangled in the door and he was crying "Save me save me" However he did not listen the cry of the passengers.
Another witness said, "Plane was already in the grip of fire and I saw flames on the right wing of the plane and saw a woman standing in the door of plane who late jumped down. Ghulam Yasin son of Elahi Bakhsh said," PIA authorities ploughed the land without his consent to destroy the proofs while the area was not thoroughly searched. LHCBA team found a mobile set, a SIM of cellular phone, and some papers in the neighbourhood of the mishap place.
The team was confident that pilot had tried his utmost to save the populated area and he managed to save the lives of innocent citizens.
The team suggested that President, governors, chief ministers and other VVIPs should use Fokker planes if these are the safest and comfortable aircraft. This team would submit its report to the higher authorities, foreign media and aeronautical experts. While Bar Association has decided to contest the cases of deceased families free of fee.