Remembering Airblue Flight 202

Fifteen years ago, on July 28, 2010, Airblue Flight 202 tragically crashed into Islamabad's Margalla Hills, taking the lives of 152 individuals, including my father. For those of us who lost loved ones that day, the pain remains raw. We remember the passengers and crew who boarded that flight with dreams and plans, only for it to end in devastation. The question that has haunted us since remains: what has Pakistan done to ensure such tragedies never happen again?

The answer today, thankfully, is more hopeful than it has been in the past. The years following the Airblue crash saw a series of aviation disasters, each serving as a grim reminder of systemic failures. From Bhoja Air's crash in 2012 to PIA's in Havelian in 2016, and more recently, the Air India runway overshoot in 2024 that made international headlines, the aviation world has had painful lessons. The United States has its own spate of recent aviation challenges. However, in Pakistan, we haven't seen a major aviation disaster in the last few years. For this, appropriate credit must be given.

Globally, the Boeing 737 Max tragedies raised awareness about flight safety and the dangers of cutting corners. These incidents, along with others, remind us why oversight, transparency and strong safety cultures matter. A recent article in The Wall Street Journal noted that flying has become safer overall: in 2023, as many as 17 people died for every billion passengers flown, down from 50 the year before. That's real progress, driven by a culture of learning from mistakes without assigning blame — so people can report problems early and fix them before something goes wrong. It's not clear if Pakistan has adopted this mindset.

Let us not mistake a break in accidents for lasting safety. The absence of crashes doesn't mean the job is done. If history has taught us anything, it's that complacency is the enemy of progress. Just a few years ago, we learned that nearly one-third of pilots in Pakistan had fake licences. That wasn't just embarrassing — it was dangerous. Some of those pilots flew for years. How was this possible? What's changed to make sure it never happens again?

Fixing aviation isn't just about technology — it's about leadership. Systems and rules are only as strong as the people who enforce them. Those who run Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority must hold airlines, pilots and regulators to the highest standards. Safety checks should be routine, honest, and shared with the public. Investigations must be fair and free from pressure.

We also can't forget the families. Too often, they're treated like afterthoughts — waiting months for death certificates, or struggling to get answers. We need to do better. From grief counseling to clear legal support, the system should make space for compassion, not confusion.

I now serve as the mayor of Saratoga, California, a small city of 31,000 people my father once chose as home. He came here hoping for a better life for his children. I've come to see firsthand how complex government can be, even at the local level. Writing smart policy, enforcing it fairly, and making government work is hard. But it matters. My father's death, caused in part by government failure, is what drives my belief in what government can — and must — do when it's done right. It's not easy, but no one ever said it should be.

Fifteen years without my father has been a lifetime of grief, but also of reflection. When I think about how far we've come, I find cautious optimism. But optimism must be coupled with action. The absence of recent crashes is not a reason to relax — it's a reason to stay alert. Let Pakistan's safety gains be a foundation to build on, not a reason to sit back. As we remember the lives lost on Airblue Flight 202 and all the tragedies that followed, let this anniversary be not just a day of mourning, but a call to action. May the next 15 years bring not only the absence of crashes, but also the presence of excellence in every aspect of Pakistan's aviation industry!