Pakistan

Airblue Crash: Defence Ministry refuses to submit report to NA committee

Mukhtar says reason behind Air Blue crash in 2010 is known, but details cannot be made public at this time.

Express June 29, 2011

ISLAMABAD: The Defence Ministry refused to submit the inquiry report into the Air Blue crash accident to the National Assembly's (NA) Standing Committee on Human Rights, on Wednesday.

Ministry officials briefed the standing committee about the investigations’ progress and admitted that they have all facts and figures regarding the accident but are not authorized to forward information to the committee, citing some legal issues which will be resolved soon, after which the report will be forwarded to Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and made public afterwards.

The NA Committee, however, expressed its reservations on the non- payment of compensation to the crash affectees and directed it to be paid within four months.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar had said that officials know the reason behind the Air Blue crash in 2010, but details could not be made public at this time.

Speaking during a press briefing, Mukhtar also said that some important details regarding the attack on the PNS Mehran base had been uncovered, but these too could not be made public at this time.

These details have however been shared with the national assembly standing committee on defence in private.

Relations with the US

The Defence Minister said that Pakistan is reviewing its relations with the US on the war on terror.

During a meeting of the national assembly standing committee on defence, Mukhtar said Pakistan is spending its own money in the war on terror as the coalition support funds are halted.

He further said that losses continue to mount for Pakistan, in human and financial terms.

The defence minister denied any knowledge of the whereabouts of Mullah Omar and said that after the Bin Laden raid, even if he were here, he would have fled Pakistan.

Pakistan was expecting $500 million (Rs43 billion) in the last tranche of the Coalition Support Fund (CSF), which was set up by the US Congress after the 9/11 attacks to reimburse allies for costs in supporting the US-led war on militancy. On April 25, Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh had announced after a visit to the US that the Obama administration was “firmly committed” to releasing at least $500 to $600 million by June 30.

A finance ministry official said that the US Congress is yet to clear the transaction.

US bases in Pakistan

Mukhtar said that Pakistan told the United States to leave Shamsi air base reportedly used as a hub for covert CIA drone attacks.

"We have told them (US officials) to leave the air base," national news agency APP quoted Mukhtar as telling a group of journalists in his office.

The air strip is 900 kilometres southwest of the capital Islamabad in Baluchistan province.

A US embassy spokeswoman told AFP there were no US military personnel at the Shamsi base.

CNN reported in April that US military personnel had left the base, said to be a key hub for American drone operations, in the fallout over public killings by a CIA contractor in Lahore and his subsequent detention.

Reports said operations at the base, which Washington has not publicly acknowledged, were conducted with tacit Pakistani military consent.

Mukhtar also denied the presence of American troops at Ghazi base in Tarbela, stating that it is being operated by Pakistan.

COMMENTS (87)

Zafar Iqbal | 13 years ago | Reply

Air Blue crash has nothing in common with @nd May and 22nd may. Air Blue is purely PILOT ERROR. Abbot abad was complicity of Our leadership with their MASTERS and Mehran attack was a good follow up to sort out the Navy as well....Air Force and Army having been sorted out on 2nd May. Regarding Air Blue I request all the discussion participants to see my interview on you tube…Islamabad tonite with Mr Nadeem of AAJ TV alongwith MD PIA Jul 28. Just GOOGLE it and it will give the link.It answers all the questions raised. Nobody hit the plane. The Pilot did not follow the MISSED APPROACH procedure which states that anytime the pilot loses visual contact with the runway he will imm open power, start climbing, turn left at 2.5 miles from beginning of Runway 30 ( which is About Chandni Cowk), keep climbing to 9500 feet and contact the control tower. This would have kept him miles from margalla. He smashed into the hills because he opened power very late, after crossing E7 sector and he was only 600 feet or so. There was not sufficient time for the engines to spool up and supply full power…nor was there sufficient distance available for him to gain speed to pull up. It was purely PILOT ERROR. Nobody else to blame. But since our competent governments make everything confidential it gives rise to conspiracy theories. For details pl see the interview. Thanks @samin:

Zafar Iqbal | 13 years ago | Reply

Sir simply Google "Islamabad tonight 28 july 2010. MD PIA and wg cdr Zafar Iqbal" and u'll get the link for AAJ TV.

Thanks

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Meekal Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply

Wg Cdr Sahib,

Unable to find the video even using Google. If you see this sir could you be kind enough to send me the link? I would greatly appreciate that so that I can hear people who know aviation and don't believe in stupid conspiracies.

Thank you.

Meekal Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply

@Zafar Iqbal Wg Cdr: Sir,

I did not see this earlier. I will go to the link you have suggested. In case I cannot get it, I will trouble you here and perhaps you can forward the link to me.

Best wishes.

samin | 13 years ago | Reply

i see a common thread between the cover up of airblue crash, mehran base attack, and osama bin laden alleged capture. the defence minister is trying to prortect the incompetency of pakistan armed forces, army, navy and airforce.

Zafar Iqbal Wg Cdr | 13 years ago | Reply @Meekal Ahmed: Thanku for such a detailed discourse. My interview is available on youtube or just type Islamabad tonight 28 july 2010. MD PIA and wg cdr Zafar Iqbal and it will throw up the link. I would reques all the friends commenting here to do so and see if their pointe are fully answered....and if they wish to add something. I made a map of the inident and the route flown by the Air Blue Flt 202,. Meekal sb I wud await ur comments too.

Haris Lodhi | 13 years ago | Reply Dear All, I really appreciate all comments on this issue . I want complete investigation with a report which will from investigators of air crash as per international laws . To watch interviews and assumptions is totally disguise this accident . Lets us work and force to made this report public. Thanks. Haris Lodhi Son of Shireen Lodhi Victim of Air Blue Crash

Meekal Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply @Zafar Iqbal Wg Cdr: Sir, I understand you perfectly. Runway 30 has the ILS. The circle-to-land on 12 is VISUAL. If he lost visual contact at any time (and he must have since he hit a hill), he needs to execute an immediate go-around! He needs to get out of there fast! That he obviously did not do. The EGPWS is a look-ahead system which would give plenty of warning of impending closure with terrain. He obviously ignored its warnings, or worse, thought they were false. Pilots will sometimes make such fatal mistakes even though they are trained to "watch the instruments" (in this case "trust the computer"). I am sorry I was unable to hear your TV interview. I don't have the special dish I would need to catch Pakistani TV. I would have enjoyed listening to someone talking sense rather than making reckless remarks about missiles and suicide. You must have heard the latter. The plane developed a fault and rather than crash on the city and kill hundreds of people, the pilot rammed it into a hill in an act of supreme sacrifice. This from highly-educated people. It is amazing how many people believe this nonsense. But I don't blame the Pakistani public -- even those who travel often. Even here in the US, a supposedly educated country, the level of aviation knowledge is astonishingly poor and conspiracy theories run thick and fast. I have enjoyed interacting with you and not because we agree but because you know your aviation. In an astonishing act of panic and stupidity, Air Blue dismissed all their ex-PIA pilots over the age of 60, some of whom are my friends. They are now flying elsewhere and are happy. Air Blue management should know that world-wide there is NO correlation between age and accidents. Age is irrelevant -- provided you are physically fit to fly. Indeed, more often than not, age can be a huge plus because of the experience factor.

Zafar Iqbal Wg Cdr | 13 years ago | Reply @Yamna Hassan: Yes it was nothing but PILOT ERROR as I have explained in detail elsewhere. There was no conspiracy or anything. The pilot failed to follow the listed procedure.

Zafar Iqbal Wg Cdr | 13 years ago | Reply Yes Sir. I am also talking about the Circle to land approach for 12. But missesd approach procedure is the same...anytime u lose visual with the runway during this procedure. The visual manouvre is the direct responsibility of the Pilot sir. regards @Meekal Ahmed:

Zafar Iqbal Wg Cdr | 13 years ago | Reply @Haris Lodhi: Salam Haris Sb. Kindly do go through my comments as well as my interview 28 july AAj tv Islamabad tonite. I assure you nobody shot the plane. It was a PILOT ERROR. My condolences for your honorable mother's very sad and unwarranted demise.

Zafar Iqbal Wg Cdr | 13 years ago | Reply @Meekal Ahmed: Sir thank you for mentioning the Ground Proximity Warning System and why it was ignored resulting into this fatal accident. over confidence , human error coz he thought he reached the destination so in a while he would execute a right turn towards RW 12 and land.It was at the insistent audio warnings of the GPWS and his copilot that he finally opted to open up power and execute a very delayed missed approac procedure. By then everything was lost. Why I did not mention it is due to my poor typing prowess...so I referred to the interview where it is mentioned in detail. Mr Muktar is totally wrong not to make the cause public. It is a shame. But then he is a shoe-maker. What do expect from these people.

Meekal Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply @XX: I do not have to give you my life history on an open forum. You can always e-mail me if you are interested in my background. Yes, I am a "propagandist" working for CIA/ISI/RAW/MOSSAD/MI6. How pathetic that you should revert to name-calling because you have no contribution to make to the discussion. We are discussing a very serious matter here. 154 people died needlessly. Their families have a right to know WHY? And if we do not find out why and the report is kept under wraps to please someone high-and-mighty, another CFIT will happen! Finally, I find it deplorable that you should hide behind a false name. What are you afraid of?

Mirza | 13 years ago | Reply @Meekal Ahmed: Thanks I understand what you are saying. Let us hope that the truth comes out no matter what. Regards, Mirza

XX | 13 years ago | Reply @Meekal Ahmed: How do you know all these things - are you an aviation expert, aeronautical engineer, or something? If so, then why don't you tell us your qualifications, to make you more credible? If not - then do you mind telling us how you know all these things? Or are you a hired propagandist? Don't mean to come down too hard on you and break your bubble here, but - It's not working.

XX | 13 years ago | Reply What had happened with the AirBlue flight was that, while it was circling Islamabad waiting for the airport to clear up before landing, it unfortunately ended up flying over the US Embassy, upon which, reportedly, it was fired upon by hand-held surface-to-air missile launchers from within the embassy. Some witnesses reported seeing the missiles and its trails, and they were silenced by Interior Ministry personnel. Obama called Zardari to condole about the crash, but reminded him that the US had already informed Pakistan that anything that would fly over its embassy in Pakistan would be shot. Now that's at least how the story is supposed to go - but this statement by the Defence Minister obviously gives credence to it, especially because it's mentioned in the context of the PNS Mehran attacks, which clearly had a sophisticated foreign element to it.

Meekal Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply @Patriot: It is shocking to learn that 49 people "like" the trash you are peddling about SAM missiles. OK, let us assume that a missile was fired at that aircraft. A missile is a heat-seeking device and would seek out the hottest part of the aircaft. That happens to be the exhaust of the engines where temperatures are typically thousands of degrees. If the missile had found its mark, the engine would have exploded and probably taken a wing off as well. The wings unfortunately hold the jet fuel. You can imagine the consequences of igniting thousands of pounds of jet fuel and a fireball of debris falling on Islamabad. How many people do you think that would have killed? Were there any casualties on the ground? How did the aircraft end up on the side of a hill? Before pontificating on your nonsense here, go and look at the site of the crash. It is very compact and consistent with a high-velocity impact. This accident has all the hall-marks of a Controlled-Flight-Into-Terrain (CFIT). The PIA accidents at Cairo and Khatmandu were CFIT as well. If those reports had been published, procedures would have been modified, including special vigilance when flying around high ground. Who knows, the CFIT at Islamabad may never have happened. One final point. Capt. Pervez Iqbal Choudhry was highly experienced. There is a cockpit video of him taking-off in a PIA Jumbo. His actions exude an air of supreme confidence. But that was in the old-technology three-person Jumbo. Capt. Choudhry was relatively inexperienced in a high-tech state-of-the-art Airbus A321 and his very young co-pilot had little self-confidence to challenge his superior as he should have, taking over control himself by pushing the side-stick PRIORITY button in front of him.

Meekal Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply @Mirza: If it is determined to be pilot error, the financial stakes rise astronomically. The Rs 5 million being offered to families would be just peanuts. If the families take the matter of compensation to an international court they could obtain (and deserve) full and complete compensation. The cost to Air Blue of insurance would rise sharply as well. The CEO of Air Blue is a powerful person politically speaking. The Defense Minister who is most likely his pal is trying his best to obfuscate matters and keep the report secret. He may or may not succeed. For the sake of the families and the future of commercial aviation not only in Pakistan but the whole world, let us pray that the report, alongwith safety recommendations, are seen and read by a wide audience.

Meekal Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply @Asfar: Planes don't crash because of weather and poor visibility. Those are only contributory factors.

Mirza | 13 years ago | Reply If it were a pilot's error then the "defense" ministry would not try to cover it up and hide. There is something bigger than a human mistake and most likely it was hit by "friendly fire". Why would the "defense" ministry cove the mechanical failure or pilot's error?

Meekal Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply @Zafar Iqbal Wg Cdr: Sir, You have described the missed procedure for runway 30. He was circling to land on the opposite runway 12. He should have flown downwind and parallel to the Margalla hills on his right. Instead he flew into them. Only the CVR will tell us what was going on in that cockpit. It is outrageous that the government should refuse to release the report. There is no technical/legal hitch. That is a false flag. The report is there alongwith the read-out of the CVR and DFDR. It needs to be published!

khan | 13 years ago | Reply all family of crahsed airplane should knock the door of Supreme Court .. All over the world know this PPP govt is group of inefficent people ...

Meekal Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply @Zafar Iqbal Wg Cdr: Sir, You are describing the go-around procedure for runway 30. He was executing the circle-to-land on 12.

khan | 13 years ago | Reply Occam's Razor's principle is that a line of reasoning that says the simplest answer is often correct, considering the plane crashed as it flew low over the Margala Hills - either it was pilot error or the faulty instruments. Not surprisingly these answers are perhaps too simple for a nation of conspiracy theorists who would rather believe that it was shot down by a UFO controlled by...? An American Jew of Indian origin from Vulcan of course!.

Great Jaat | 13 years ago | Reply @Yamna Hassan: Yamna if it was pilot error then why is defense ministry refusing to make the report public? And why is defense ministry deciding on a matter that concerns civil aviation?

Great Jaat | 13 years ago | Reply We are talking about 152 human lives. What is this world coming to? This is torture for victims families. The report must be made public immediately.

Iftikhar-ur-Rehman | 13 years ago | Reply Was it really an accident or it was hit by a missile by terrorists or security forces as it was flying in the RED zone????!!!!

Yamna Hassan | 13 years ago | Reply I don't get the point of connecting some purely political incidents like the attack on PNS Menran and Bin Laden's death to the airblue crash. All along the year, I was under the impression that the crash was wholely an accident. This piece of news, however, made my hair stand... For me, there is nothing left in this country to look forward to, and our consciences have been long dead and burried due to our incapability of taking a stand, if this crash is a part of some conspiracy. Nevertheless, our political figures take pride in creating suspicions and sensationalising matters. At the end of the day, we will come to know that the crash was solely due to pilot error.

Patriot | 13 years ago | Reply The Defense Ministry is not releasing the information because the day of the crash reporters from GEO were reporting that their cameramen and reporters where not allowed onto one side of Margalla hills because they believed there were SAM missile systems on the hills to protect Islamabad. They believed one of the SAM's might have fired at the civilian airliner and brought it down accidently. The Defence Ministry is not releasing information to protect the incompetence of the Military.

Meekal Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply @Zafar Iqbal Wg Cdr: Sir, I agree with your thesis. This is a classic CFIT (Controlled Flight into Terrain) wherein a perfectly air-worthy aircraft hits high ground. What you don't mention is the sophisticated warning systems on board (the EGPWS) which would have warned both pilots of rapid closure with high ground. They ignored those warnings until it was too late. Why? Only the cockpit voice recorder can tell. There is no possible technical issue/problem that justifies the absence of a report as the first anniversary of that tragedy approaches. That is hog-wash. The CEO of Air Blue is a powerful political figure. He will do anything in his power to bury the accident report. The issue of compensation is fig-leaf. You cannot decide compensation until you have determined the cause of the accident! For example, is this a case of manslaughter?

Meekal Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply @Omair Khan: The "CAA official" should be retired for making such a dumb statement.

Meekal Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply @Ray of Hope: "Fired down". What kind of English is that? If it had been "fired down", it would have rained burning debris over Islamabad and killed thousands of residents. In reality, the impact point was quite concentrated.

Akthar | 13 years ago | Reply Mr. Balakrishna, you keep forgetting the time in your posts! Also, sir, if you are interested in our country's internal affairs, why dont you come over here & take up the citizenship. Our ISI will surely call you for your valued opinions. Our ISI gives special treatment to Journo's & let me assure you'll also get 'FIRST CLASS' treatment. Dont forget to book thru PIA a one way ticket. Till then stop commenting! Thanks.

Haris Lodhi | 13 years ago | Reply His statement confirmed that the plane was hit from US Embassy in Isb and they want to cover them all . Mr.Defence Minister we are not sitting idle and this time you have to face accountability at all cost . Haris Lodhi Son of Shireen Lodhi Victim of Air Blue Crash

khurram kaleem | 13 years ago | Reply you investigate air crashes for public safety so to avoid next possible air crashes. hiding causes of air crashes is against passenger saafety. can anyone knocks the the courts

Asif Butt | 13 years ago | Reply Respectable Mr Chaudhary sahab . I speak on behalf of the people of Pakistan. We regret to inform you that we wish to FIRE YOU from your job. But we cannot tell you why , because it a matter of NATIONAL INTEREST as well !!!!

Mirza | 13 years ago | Reply I am surprised that some people are surprised. From the murder report of Liaqat Ali Khan, to Humood Rehman Commission, Kargil, OBL's presence, Shooting of innocent foreigners, and this, no report has come out in public. Why start the shirk and biddat of Western transparency and openness now? The more things change in Pakistan the more they stay the same! I would not hold my breath for any truth to come out as long as the country is ruled by its secret service, ISI.

Zafar Iqbal Wg Cdr | 13 years ago | Reply @Omair Khan: I request all the gentlemen to see my interview on you tube...Islamabad tonite with Mr Nadeem of AAJ TV alongwith MD PIA Jul 28. It answers all the questions raised. Nobody hit the plane. The Pilot did not follow the MISSED APPROACH procedure which states that anytime the pilot loses visual contact with the runway he will imm open power, start climbing, turn left at 2.5 miles from beginning of Runway 30 ( which is About Chandni Cowk), keep climbing to 9500 feet and contact the control tower. This would have kept him miles from margalla. He smashed into the hills because he opened power very late, after crossing E7 sector and he was only 600 feet or so. There was not sufficient time for the engines to spool up and supply full power...nor was there sufficient distance available for him to gain speed to pull up. It was purely PILOT ERROR. Nobody else to blame. But since our competent governments make everything confidential it gives rise to conspiracy theories. For details pl see the interview. Thanks

Uzair Javaid | 13 years ago | Reply GOD!! i thought this guy is dead or something =D how did he took the veil off him. uh ohh! it might be hot that's why...lol on a serious note, this government would never make anything public, i wonder is this government by the people for the people or by the dictator on the people. Its now literally the pinnacle of being inept and having no plan of governance.

kulamarva balakrishna | 13 years ago | Reply Vienna,29-06-2011 Is this a day to celebrate since for the first time, a civilian man without uniform identified as Defense Minister of Pakistan,Mr.Ahmed Akhtar has opened his mouth as the public came to know in the parliament standing committee? First it could be he has been elevated as the spokesman of the Army Chief of Staff, who was seen, not in Defense domain but also foreign affairs territories.Or is it indicative of shutting the COAS to please the U.S.? Second if this is reflective of voluntary reclusive attitude of the Army boss? third and final question: does it mean some corrective amendments are on way in Pakistan? I think it is worth watching. Kulamarva Balakrishna

Asad | 13 years ago | Reply why is he making public the fact that he can't make public the facts?

Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Pak tells US..haha..is it a joke....Pakistan is not a free country...It is under occupation...CH. Mukhtar is a clown..

Ris | 13 years ago | Reply Speculating here but Im guessing that they realised that the fleet is not fit for purpose and somebody bribed some-other-body to keep it hush hush. Always a possibility. :)

harry | 13 years ago | Reply @D. Powers: well pointed out, you people never miss him? :-)

let there be peace | 13 years ago | Reply I wonder how Pakistan's defence minister passes his time in office

AAC | 13 years ago | Reply @Somdet: Shame on you for making fun of Muslim prayers.

TightDhoti | 13 years ago | Reply Wow! Conspriacy theories and factorign America in has so much traction. The appaling weather conditions, pilot fatigue, control tower mistakes are more plausible, but no, must squeeze America in somehow.

Areebah Shahid | 13 years ago | Reply @Somdet in the name of God!!! get your facts right or at least use some common sense! the plan crashed around 10:00 a.m. - which prayer is offered at that time?? and for the 45 people who have recommended the comment - it's just plain sad how much we like indulging in conspiracy theories without stopping and using our grey matter for a few seconds!

anonymous | 13 years ago | Reply @Somdet: You are pathetic. Stop joking about sad accidents like these.

Yasir Sheikh | 13 years ago | Reply Thank you, Sir! You've been a great help by telling us that it can not be made public! So much for the 'national interest'..

Usman Malik | 13 years ago | Reply So someone shot down the plane? Because that is all I can gather from his statement!

IronyDetector | 13 years ago | Reply Can there be a bigger slap in the face for the citizens of Pakistan? Cannot be made public??!! Well, then you should resign.

Babloo | 13 years ago | Reply The report cannot be made public because the public cannot handle the truth. The minister has been advised by sensitive agancies that the public is very sensitive.

M.Shoaib Malik | 13 years ago | Reply @Somdet: Mind your own business...and dont put your dirty head in somebody's religious affairs. We all know who you are....dont let us speak bad about your faith.....

Billoo Bhaya | 13 years ago | Reply @Somdet: That's a racist and hate comment. Shame on you, whatever your religion and nationality.

Jawad Haider Sumra | 13 years ago | Reply One phenomena which has been hounding our nation since the creation of our country is " National Interest" and which is nowadays at its peak. Every wrongdoing, unethical political gains, conspiracies etc are being justified in the name of National Interest, same is the case now with the mystery of Air blue crash in 2010 which can not be disclosed to public in National Interest. Can some one define this National Interest.........

Arsalan T Ghumman | 13 years ago | Reply Mr. Mukhtar, this is not your personal kingdom, this Pakistan owned by the people, not by your corrupt govt. Your party claims to be the champion of democracy. I want to ask in what sort of democracy the govt denies to share the fact with the people ? If you cant protect the people at least speak the truth and if u cant dare to speak truth then u dont have a right to be in the office. You dont even have a shame.

Hatim | 13 years ago | Reply I'm pretty sure these ministers actually know nothing. They're just trying to sound important. They know only like Zardari knows Bhutto's killers and Rehman Malik knows everything else.

Naveed | 13 years ago | Reply @Darkstar (Karachi): The only people who could've fired a missile from that vicinity has to be our own Pakistani Army. Stop blaming others for your own faults. It's annoying. - A responsible Pakistani.

M.Akthar | 13 years ago | Reply Our Defence Minister has given a huge task to our "Conspiracy Theory Specialists" who`ll lose their sleep! The Price of Pot will go up as Zaid Hamid & his ilk get busy thinking.

Muhammad Saifullah Khalid | 13 years ago | Reply I think they have nothing to do with country affairs - this statement was on-air only because he was out of sight for a while and needed some attention. They think people are fool or THE NATION don't know that these idiots are fools. Everyone (I am talking about "SENSIBLE" ones) knows why the plane crashed and what was the story behind it. So thanks Mr. Defence thingy !!! we need no to know what you have to say... infact you have nothing to EITHER :P nice suit u have we saw u on television. This is what you wanted to hear. Have a nice weekend :P lolz

hashim | 13 years ago | Reply there is nothing to hide on this air blue crash investigation, its just that the govt is fond of creating suspense and panic over every issue just like They claimed to have found the killers of BB but said they cudnt publicize the names. There wasnt any shooting on the crashed plane... It crashed because of weather and poor visibility, now if somebody is Bound to create confusions, he will only continue to do so....

Asfar | 13 years ago | Reply Haarp?

Omair Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Its an internal news..... I don't know true or false.... Its was hit by a missile as the plane reaches very near to shahra e dastoor.. I got this news from CAA official.

Akthar | 13 years ago | Reply Its a BIG secret like PNS, GHQ, abbottabad, kargil & all other misteries. Our country is a mistery.

Billoo Bhaya | 13 years ago | Reply The Minister is always full of good tidings. He is starting a conspiracy rumor mill by not releasing the findings of the inquiry commission. And this too my the Government that believes in transparency and Mufamet???

MAD | 13 years ago | Reply @DarkStar(Karachi): Now thats plain stupid. the US embassy is miles and miles away. a more likely possibility is a SAM being fired from one of the SAM sites in the surrounding hills as there is significant restricted air space around.

Dr. Ali Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply it had 2 passengers that took hefty kickbacks in NICL case

Taxed | 13 years ago | Reply He thinks he is Donald Rumsfield talking known unknowns. Why bother saying it if don't want to tell. Does this provide any contort to victims families?

NASAR | 13 years ago | Reply The Defence Minister is right in not disclosing the secrets as it might have severe consequenses and repurcussions on the country's already fragile situation.after the bad name that our forces have got after PNS mehran and abbottabad sad incident,so if there is some thing good for pakistan in not unveiling the airblue crash news ,i thnik its in better interest and a wise decision

Chickken tikka | 13 years ago | Reply The comments of the defence minister will add fuel to a lot conspiracy theories. Better come out clean and say facts. It could be ugly.

Jameel | 13 years ago | Reply

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar said on Wednesday that officials know the reason behind the Air Blue crash in 2010, but details could not be made public at this time.

What? Is he kidding? There was a huge loss of life and the minister is hiding the facts? This is criminal.

Bilafond | 13 years ago | Reply MAD@ He has just woken up, please dont ask him difficult questions, answers of which he knows already. Adeel@ "Defence Minister is a Defence Minister, even he is absent all the time" LOL

Aurangzeb Rao | 13 years ago | Reply this is a shameful and inhumane remark. My heart goes out for the families of all those who lost their lives in the crash.

Ray of Hope | 13 years ago | Reply Regarding Air Blue crash, I read one news item that some Black Water terrorists wanted to crash this plane on Kahota, but it was fired down by the defense system installed there. Please print this comment. This could be the reason that the findings cannot be made public.

Ba Ha | 13 years ago | Reply how can it be owned by the US?

Rehman | 13 years ago | Reply I've heard it has something to do with the Armed Forces being involved. Maybe that's why it can't be made public. Ah, what a country! 60-year old bullies in khakies!

Adeel | 13 years ago | Reply what a defense minister we have!!

MAD | 13 years ago | Reply So whats so confidential about the Air Blue crash defence minister??????

Asif Butt | 13 years ago | Reply Lets pray to GOD that this defence minister of ours does not get too modest to declare that our borders are insecure till the year 2018 ( like the power issue ) ......

Lobster | 13 years ago | Reply Nothing would be made public, because it will confirm that the "Emperor has no clothes"

DarkStar(Karachi) | 13 years ago | Reply Why is the cause of the Air Blue crash a state secret?..........Why does the govt. not come clean and announce the truth, that the AMERICANS fired a missile from their embassy in Islamabad because the plane was breaching their 'no fly zone' that they have illegally established in different parts of pakistan including the capital Islamabad.

Cautious | 13 years ago | Reply Mukhtar said Pakistan is spending its own money in the war on terror as the coalition support funds are halted. Other than making speeches what exactly is the army of Pakistan doing in regards to the war on terror? Can anyone name any offensive actions being taken by the military - the only combat I ever read about is small border outposts being attacked and those outposts have never done anything to impede terrorist from attacking NATO troops I doubt the USA views those outposts as something they want to fund.

D. Powers | 13 years ago | Reply I did not know that we had a Defense Minister :)

Ali | 13 years ago | Reply He is keeping up the family tradition started by Ijaz butt of giving Dubious press statements

TightDhoti | 13 years ago | Reply Why alot of things cant be made public can they! Shamis Airbase was "owned" by UAE a couple of months ago, now its own by the US???

Hassan | 13 years ago | Reply America is GOD for us, whatever America will say, v have to obey it, without any hesitation

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