Safety Investigation Board (SIB), an independent organisation of the government of Pakistan will be responsible for carrying out an independent inquiry.
PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik said in a news conference on Friday, “Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will not participate in the probe … and would stand answerable before the inquiry board.”
The PM will approve the summary that is being prepared to direct the SIB into probing the devastating plane crash. He also tweeted right after the plane crash that immediate action will be taken for the investigation and that he was shocked and saddened.
Addressing the news conference regarding survivors, the PIA CEO said, “So far, I can only confirm … Zafar Masud, Bank of Punjab CEO has survived the accident. He is safe.”
“So far, I can confirm that 19 martyred are in Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and 22 in other hospitals,” he said. “It may take two to three days to complete the rescue operation.”
The PIA found the black box from the plane wreckage that contains all information, including causes of the accident and conversation between the air and ground staff before the plane crashed at 2:37 pm. They have been told not to touch the black box until the SIB investigation team arrives.
The CEO also told the public that they will be willing to compensate the victims' families (in monetary terms) and that he is ready to appear for any probing committees, and will step down if proved at fault.