Farooq Bhoja name placed in ECL: Rehman Malik

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Friday announced that the name of Farooq Bhoja, owner of Bhoja Airline, has been placed in Exit Control List (ECL).

Talking to media at PIMS hospital Malik said that action will be taken against all the culprits involved in the tragic incident of plane crash near Chaklala air base.

“Thorough investigation would be made in order to find out that who gave permission to fly an obsolete plane,” he said.

Malik said that Prime Minister Gillani and President Asif Ali Zardari directed him to take serious actions against the administration of Bhoja airline without compromising on any pressures.

Malik further said that an high level investigation committee would be formed to investigate the matter and Prime would made announcement regarding the committee on Saturday (tomorrow).

“The investigation report would be launched publically,” he said.

The interior minister further said that that rescue operation at the site of the incident was almost completed.

“85 percent of rescue operation is completed,” Malik said adding that weather conditions were not in favor of rescue operation.

He further said that it seemed that the plane crash happened due to the bad weather conditions.

A Bhoja Air Boeing (BA) Co. 737-200 with 127 people on board crashed near Chaklala Air base. The Boeing 737 was carrying 121 passengers and nine crew members.