Pakistan’s flag carrier PIA has issued another strong worded rebuttal to the “misleading news” items circulating in the media about flight PK661. PIA spokesperson Danyal Gillani said in a statement that “maintenance of PIA aircraft is done as per manuals at proper times in accordance with international standards.”
PIA spokesperson said that “it has already been explained that the aircraft did not have any known defect at the time of takeoff from Chitral and some problem developed on the way. As a routine practice engines of aircraft are checked before every flight and same was done in this case. Engines of ATR aircraft are also changed as per manuals.”
In addition he said that “the matter is being investigated by an independent body, and media is requested to refrain from speculation as it can mislead the public.”
Earlier on 14 December spokesperson PIA said in a statement that such “reports are baseless, and both engines of the aircraft were fully operational at the time of takeoff from Chitral and some problem developed during flight.”
Its important to remember that this crash is being investigated by an independent body, Safety Investigation Board (SIB), which is under instructions from the Prime Minister of Pakistan that a detailed, independent and transparent inquiry be carried out and truth should be brought out and shared with the people in the shortest possible time.
But Pakistani media is rife with reports based on speculations and sometime ridiculous assumptions. The theme with which certain part of media is running news reports shows that some sort of sinister campaign is being carried out against PIA.