The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will amend existing rules and regulations, making it mandatory for all private airlines to obtain requisite technical clearances and airworthiness certificates on PIA's pattern, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar announced on Sunday.
During a talk with reporters here, he said that no private airline would be allowed to operate till obtaining the requisite certificates. The minister said that he had ordered the CAA to conduct a thorough inspection of all planes operated by private airlines to ensure air travel safety, adding that the shakedown would start from today (Monday). The CAA, he said, had been given four days to complete the inspection.
He said that no excuse would be entertained and all such aircraft which failed to meet international standards would be permanently be grounded.
He declared that Bhoja Airline's license would be cancelled if it proved that the aircraft which crashed was not fit for flight.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan raised certain objections over the establishment of the three-member judicial commission to probe Bhoja Airline.
Talking to media on Sunday at the Punjab House, he said the commission should work in accordance with the Supreme Court. He said that the inclusion of PCO judges in the investigation commission was questionable.
Accusing top PPP leaders of "trying to conceal reality", he said that all controversial persons were playing with people's emotions.
He alleged that people who were involved in such a big tragedy were favourites of the government. "The tragedy would not have occurred if the government had taken strict safety measures following 2010 Airblue crash in the federal capital," he said.
Responding to a question about restoration of international cricket events in the country, he said that foreign cricket teams would definitely visit Pakistan if the government maintained peace in the country.