PIA plane crash: 'Handing over of bodies after DNA tests begins'

Identification and handing over of bodies on the basis of DNA tests begins, PIA spokesman said on Wednesday.
He said that so far, 47 bodies had been identified out of which 43 had been handed over to the families of deceased for burial.
He said CEO PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik was in personal contact with the family members of the deceased and had contacted them.
The CEO PIA expressed his condolences with the family members and assured of all possible support and assistance at that time of grief.
The CEO PIA also inquired about the assistance being provided by PIA officials and based on the feedback had formed a one window operation for swift coordination between various authorities for speedy identification and handing over of bodies, including issuance of Death Certificates.
PIA spokesman said that on Wednesday one body of deceased Khalid Sherdil was handed over for burial.
The airline is making travel arrangements for the family members of the deceased and providing them domestic and international tickets and is arranging transportation of the bodies to their homes.
He said the process of DNA testing and verification was a lengthy process and required time. However, PIA and concerned authorities were doing all efforts to hand over the bodies of the deceased to their family members, he added.
PIA spokesman said that an independent inquiry was being conducted by Aircraft Accident Investigation Board and work had already started by the Board.
He said that reaching conclusions based on hearsay and political statements was not only unfair but hurt the sentiments of the families of the deceased, the employees of airline and Pakistani citizens.-PR