ISLAMABAD: The opposition senators on Wednesday strongly criticized the federal government for its alleged neglect involving the last month's Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane crash in Karachi, and called for an independent inquiry into the matter without any involvement or oversight of the federal government.
Speaking on the floor of the House during Senate session, Leader of the Opposition in Senate Raja Zafar-ul-Haq from Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) said, the federal government is trying to hush up the matter since PIA plane crash tragedy took place. "Right from day one, they have turned the direction of their so-called inquiry to blame the pilot. Until and unless there is an independent inquiry with zero interference from federal government, how can we know that who is responsible-whether it was pilot's mistake or big lapse on part of federal government that led to this huge tragedy."
Only an independent inquiry commission can ascertain the truth, which would be acceptable to everyone, he said.
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Parliamentary Leader Sherry Rehman said, "There are serious reservations about the committee constituted by the federal government to investigate the PK 8303 plane crash incident. How can the Committee be under CAA's authority as CAA is under investigation itself? This is a total conflict of interest and the Committee and the inquiry seem suspicious now."
She said, ""Right after the crash, PIA CEO made a speech and blamed the pilot. The CEO should not have laid blame or found pilot error before an investigation. How did the CEO announce pilot error even before any investigation had begun? It is clear that the aircraft company, CAA and PIA all want to blame the pilot who is not even here to defend himself."
Other senators including PPP's Raza Rabbani and PML-N's Murtaza Javed Abbasi also strongly criticized the federal government in connection with PIA plane tragedy.
Responding to opposition's criticism, Federal Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said a comprehensive and independent inquiry into PIA plane crash was underway. He urged the senators to wait till the outcome of the inquiry and "avoid jumping to conclusions." The Aircraft Accident Investigation Board is conducting the investigation which comprises of members of Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
The PAF is our pride, a disciplined armed force whose integrity, prestige, repute and professional competence are beyond any doubt,"he said.
Earlier, at the question hour, Minister of State for Climate Change Sartaj Gul Wazir said, vehicular emissions are one of the major sources of air pollution in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) as 25,000 to 30,000 vehicles enter in ICT daily.
After 18th constitutional amendment, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) is mandated with its function under Pakistan Environmental Protection Act1997 for protection, conservation and rehabilitation of environment in ICT only, she said.
Ministry of Climate Change has included the protection of natural forests of Balochistan in the PC-I of Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme that was approved by ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) on August 29, 2019, the minister said.
Counterpart funding has also been committed by the Government of Balochistan, she said. Senate will meet again on Friday.