Daily Times

Sir: In an attempt to show that it is serious about its business, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has now ordered an inspection of every aircraft owned by private airlines after the Bhoja crash. Although the CAA is trying to be proactive in responding to the crash, however, this actually is a reactive move. It is the job of the CAA to regulate airline safety; in fact, it should have ensured that all airplanes were safe for flying without waiting for the Bhoja tragedy. Though belated, the CAA now must carry out thorough inspection, even if it means disrupting the schedules of airlines for the time being. The safety inspections should be expanded to include the national airline.

We would also request our politicians not to extract political mileage out of the Bhoja crash. The Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali has already blasted the judicial commission set up to investigate the crash, saying that it had been appointed without the advice of the judiciary. He also accused the president of trying to cover up the tragedy. However, this accusation is without merit. There is no reason to believe that the president had any involvement with Bhoja Air and Chaudhry Nisar Ali could not explain why the president would try to cover up the causes of the crash. Indeed, had the judicial commission not been formed in earnest, the opposition would then have accused the president of dragging his feet on the issue.

HUMA JAFFER

Karachi