Pilot error was responsible for the recent crash of a Bhoja Airline aircraft, Junior Secretary of the Defence Ministry Iftikhar Ahmed Mir told the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Human Rights on Thursday. Riaz Fatyana chaired the meeting. He said that the investigation into the recent Bhoja aircraft crash had been completed after the decoding of the airplane's black box.
Iftikhar Ahmed Mir said: "The pilot was 65-year old and a retired air force officer...his co-pilot was very junior. He did not pay attention to several computer warnings when the aircraft reached a level considered 'dangerously low' and susceptible to crash. The pilot continuously ignored computer warnings of 'terrain ahead', which eventually led to the crash," Mir said.
"The Air Blue administration has (so far) paid Rs 5.5 million in compensation to the bereaved families while the government has provided Rs 500,000 to each victim's family. Of the 152 people onboard, including the crew, 103 members of the bereaved families received compensation. Payment of 31 are in process, while 10 are in litigation with the airline. Bhoja airline has given Rs 5 million to 13 bereaved families out of 50," Mir said.
PIA, he said, had 39 aircraft in its fleet, adding that only 28 of the airplanes were operational. The national air carrier's schedule was made based on 39 planes and not 28, which was the main reason behind chronic delays in PIA flights, Mir added.
Pakistan International Airlines' Deputy Managing Director Junaid Younus claimed that the airline had several issues regarding aircraft maintenance, poor quality of service and flight delays. According to him, the airline has set up a 'task force' to avoid any mismanagement during the upcoming Hajj flights. "PIA's regulatory system is very weak," Riaz Fatyana said. The committee condemned the VIP treatment provided to certain families of bureaucrats, military officials, judges and diplomats.
According to the Chairperson, the passengers were usually "not entertained at airports". "In case of flight delays, they are not provided any food. If flights are delayed for 12-16 hours, which is usual with PIA and Shaheen Airlines, passengers are not provided rest rooms." Secretary Human Rights Shaigan Sharif Malik highlighted the role of porters at airports, saying last year, 4000 casual employees were permitted, but the porter service was being run by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
"Unfortunately, due to non-adherence to safety measures, Europe had banned the landing of PIA flights. So, PIA should make its safety measures in accordance with Iata rules and Montreal Deceleration," Kashmala Tariq (a PML-Q Like-minded lawmaker) told the committee. The committee directed PIA officials to improve the airline's overall system and submit a report in this regard in a month. The committee recommended replacing special counters for parliamentarians with counters for disabled and senior citizens at airports.