The local business community in a meeting at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed deep shock and grief over the unfortunate crash of PIA’s aircraft PK-661 at Havelian in which 48 persons including renowned scholar Junaid Jamshed lost their lives. They conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who lost their dear and near ones in this tragic incident. They also prayed for the departed souls. 

 

Addressing the meeting, Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that it was a national tragedy due to which the whole nation was in mourning. He said it was 9th crash of a PIA aircraft as before it, 8 PIA aircrafts have crashed during various years killing cumulatively about 611 people. He said such a large number of PIA’s aircrafts accidents raised many questions over its performance and stressed that PIA Management should take drastic measures to improve the performance of the national flag carrier. 

 

He said PIA should conduct a thorough inquiry of this incident on urgent basis to find out the facts. He said that PIA should also improve safety system of its aircrafts at par with international standards so that such mishaps could be avoided in future.

 

The businessmen said that Junaid Jamshed was an icon and great asset of the country as he was an identity of Pakistan at national and international level. They said the business community of the whole country was in mourning mode and stood with the bereaved families in this tragic hour. They also lauded the efforts of army jawans and other persons who took part in the rescue operation. They stressed that government should make urgent arrangements for shifting the dead bodies to their family members who have been identified so far.