ISLAMABAD: Senate was told on Friday that 95 bodies have been identified out of total 152 perished in Air Blue plane crash in Margalla Hills on Wednesday. Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the House that out of those 95 identified, 78 bodies have been handed over to families and relatives. "Handing over of remaining bodies is in process under laid down Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)," Malik said in response to points raised by members regarding facilitating the bereaved families and securing the belongings of the deceased passengers. Some members had raised the points claiming insufficient arrangements to accommodate the bereaved families as well as incidences of loot and plunder of belongings at the crash site. "It was a tragic incident where all 152 passengers died. Out of which 95 bodies have been identified and 78 have been handed over to families," he stated. The minister said, under the SOP immediate cordoning of the area was ordered and all the belongings found so far have been placed in the custody of Magistrate. "Once the operation completes, we shall call upon the families and handover the belongings on identification." He said during last two days the operation could not be continue on the same pace due to bad weather and heavy rains and it will be completed today (Friday) sometime during the day. "All resources were deployed for recovery of dead bodies, belongings as well as the Black Box of the plane which is yet to be found," he added. Interior Minister said, the Prime Minister has already ordered an inquiry into the incident and the Chairman has been designated. "As soon as we get the inquiry report, the House will be apprised of it." "We shall do everything possible and the process of handing over bodies and belongings shall be completed within couple of days," he added. To another point, Malik assured all out assistance to flood affectees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. "Seven helicopters have been made available for rescue of struck up people and other needs of the displaced persons shall also be met."

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Farooq H. Naek on Friday has expressed great concern over absence of ministers from the House and asked Leader of the House Syed Nayer Hussain Bokhari to convey his concern to the prime minister. Taking note of ministers'' absence during the question hour session, he said that the ministers should have to inform the House regarding their absences well in time, and their absence without intimation is unfair. Minister for Labour and Power Syed Khurshid Shah said that he would convey the concern to the prime minister as well as the ministers adding that ministers should be in the House during the question hour session. Adviser to Prime Minister Raza Rabbani said that the prime minister, Federal Ministers and Ministers of State are answerable to the National Assembly and the Senate after the passage of 18th amendment.

SWAT: Flash floods in Swat and Shangla have killed at least 150 people and affected many areas and 20 Chinese engineers working on a hydropower project have been rescued from Shangla. Hundreds have rendered homeless due to heavy rains and floods and were waiting for help.

UPPER DIR: Lightening in Garkoi village of Asheeray Dara has killed at least 17 people and damaged 60 houses, Geo News reported quoting local sources.

MUZAFFARABAD: The Spillways of Mangla Dam have been opened due to continuous rise in water level as a result of floods in the rivers that fall into the reservoir after torrential rains in catchment areas. Meanwhile, army troops were helping shift people to safer areas. According to Deputy Commissioner Mangla Dam, areas along the bank were under threat and a monitoring cell has been established.

PESHAWAR: The destruction being brought about by devastating floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and in Southern Areas is still afoot as hundreds of people have lost their lives and thousands other have been rendered homeless. Scores of people are missing, many houses, link and main bridges, link roads, tributaries have been either completely washed away by floodwater due to spillover from rivers and incessant spate of rains or have been too inundated for a human life to survive. The biggest human catastrophe in last three decades has claimed lives of over 250 innocent people at isolated places in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during three-day long showers. Met office said over 250 mm rain has been recorded so far, forecasting that the worst part was looming ahead. Chief Minister House in Gilgit-Baltistan has been inundated due to killing floodwater, forcing CM to vacate CM House, who has taken refuge in a local hotel whereas thousands of people have been caught trapped in Nowshera district after River Kabul was seen in high-floods. Unprecedented spree of incessant heavy downpours is continued in Gilgit-Baltistan, rendering adjoining areas cutoff with other parts of country. 14 jawans of rangers are trapped in floodwater in Baseen since last night, which has prompted authorities to carry out rescue operation for their safe and sound release. The situation has turned worst of all times as the floods and rains have wreaked havoc up to the extent of biggest natural disaster and worst human calamity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Spillover from River Swat has entered into River Kabul at Nowshera place resulting in submerging cantonment and other areas in water. Thousands of people, being trapped in floodwater, are waiting for help from government whereas District Headquarter Hospital was also seen flooded by many feet. At least 230 people have been reportedly killed while scores others have gone missing amid the deadliest spree of incidents occurred once in last three decades, wreaked by heavy downpours and floodwater all across Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province, media reports and television footages reported Friday morning. Many link bridges have been washed away, rendering many areas cutoff from other parts of cities and districts and leaving scores of people trapped at isolated places. Heavy showers have inflicted havoc, devastation in Swat and Shangla districts as furious floodwater, overflowing from River Swat, has played massive destruction in residential areas. Meanwhile, as many as 16 people have been killed by land sliding in Alandar locality in Shangla district. In Shangla district alone, more than 90 people have been killed in separate incidents as a result of two-day long spate of the torrential rains. 25 people have been wiped out by floodwater in Swat alone while Kabal, Matta, Bari Kot, Charbagh, Khwaza Khela, Behrin and Babuzai areas are no longer connected with other parts of country owing to destruction of link bridges. Floodwater has demolished numerous shops and houses in Kalam whereas land sliding, in Surkhel Balabanda locality of Batgram, has killed three brothers and sisters. A central bridge, a main road and dozens of houses have been inundated by floodwater near Thakot and Oralai due to flesh flood in River Indus. On second consecutive day, Sahrah-e-Kaghan remained closed for traffic by dint of incessant spree of cruel downpours and back-to-back incidents of land sliding, trapping thousands of tourists in Shogran, Kaghan and Naran districts. Hundreds of houses have been inundated by floodwater at Kasar place in Kohistan district while the residents of over 10 houses have reportedly gone missing as a result of devastating floods. The link bridge between Palis and Patan districts has been submerged in floodwater. River Kanhar has been feared to be in high-floods soon at Mansehra District, prompting authorities to evict people from areas settled along riverside. Civil Hospital, police station and main bazaar have been evacuated in view of anticipated floods in Balakot District. 12 dead bodies have been pulled out from rubble after the Jurma Bridge in Kohat Division collapsed following the deadliest floods in the history. Four people have been drowned in floodwater in Nowsehra District while over 25 people are still missing. Doctors, paramedical staff and patients trapped in District Headquarter Hospital have climbed on rooftop after floodwater has inundated hospital up to many feet. A total of 780 houses, 34 school buildings, 6 main bridges, 28 link bridges, 11 mosques and thousands acres land, meant for irrigation, have been washed away by floodwater at isolated places in Upper Dir. At least 11 persons including six children have been trampled to death following the collapse of house in Lower Dir while another 21 persons have been lashed out by floodwater. Nearly 9 persons died and 42 others were injured after floodwater, flowing out from River Swat and Jendi, played annihilation in Charsadda District. Several villages and the legislative assembly building have been flooded after River Gilgit was seen in high-flood. Five children have drowned in floodwater in Bannu District while over 40 houses have collapsed in Tehsil Bara in Khyber Agency.

ISLAMABAD: Investigators spent a third day searching Friday for the black box of a Pakistani jet that crashed into Islamabad''s hills, killing all 152 people on board, officials said. The search for human remains has been called off and most bodies handed over to families for burial, police said. The Airblue passenger jet crashed in a ball of fire in the forested Margalla Hills overlooking the Pakistani capital in heavy rain and poor visibility on Wednesday, while trying to land after flying from Karachi. "We have recovered remains of all the dead bodies. Now our focus is on the investigation and we are searching for any clue which can help us," senior Islamabad police official Bani Amin told media. Monsoon rains hampered the search for two days, but aviation experts and other investigators resumed work after the weather cleared on Friday. Investigators are focusing on the black box as the flight data recorder will provide valuable clues as to why the 10-year-old Airbus 321, which was piloted by an experienced captain, came down. "Today the investigators are going to the hilltop. The priority is the black box and any other technical clue from the wreckage," Ramzan Sajid, spokesman for the Islamabad city administration official, told media. Airblue, one of Pakistan''s most respected airlines, has been tight-lipped about any possible technical fault or pilot error. Reports that the pilot was told to take another route were mere speculation, company spokesman Raheel Ahmad told media. The only deadlier civilian plane crash involving a Pakistani jet occurred when a PIA Airbus A300 crashed into a cloud-covered hillside on approach to the Nepalese capital Kathmandu in 1992, killing 167 people.

KARACHI: All the passengers and crewmembers were safe after a PIA’s airliner PK-302 caught fire during taxi on runway here at Jinnah International Airport on Friday morning, Geo news reported. Earlier, a loud blast was heard in an engine of PIA’s flight PK-302, a bowing commercial plane, when the airliner was preparing to take off on early morning. Engine was on fire after blast occurred when plane was taxiing on runway as the fire and smoke was seen emitting from engine, PIA sources told media. Explosion happened when a bird struck the plane’s engine, eyewitnesses said. The flight was bound to Lahore from Karachi meanwhile rescue vehicles, fire tenders and police mobile vans immediately surrounded plane for relief activities and to determine the loss of life or goods if happened. Luckily no passenger and crewmembers were unhurt and was off boarded safe and sound. PIA engineers said they would issue clearance after a thorough review of plane condition for operation of a flight. Now, the passengers will be shifted to another plane for Lahore flight, PIA spokesman said.

PESHAWAR: The destruction being brought about by devastating floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and in Southern Areas is still afoot as hundreds of people have lost their lives and thousands other have been rendered homeless. Scores of people are missing, many houses, link and main bridges, link roads, tributaries have been either completely washed away by floodwater due to spillover from rivers and incessant spate of rains or have been too inundated for a human life to survive. The biggest human catastrophe in last three decades has claimed lives of over 250 innocent people at isolated places in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during three-day long showers. Met office said over 250 mm rain has been recorded so far, forecasting that the worst part was looming ahead. Chief Minister House in Gilgit-Baltistan has been inundated due to killing floodwater, forcing CM to vacate CM House, who has taken refuge in a local hotel whereas thousands of people have been caught trapped in Nowshera district after River Kabul was seen in high-floods. Unprecedented spree of incessant heavy downpours is continued in Gilgit-Baltistan, rendering adjoining areas cutoff with other parts of country. 14 jawans of rangers are trapped in floodwater in Baseen since last night, which has prompted authorities to carry out rescue operation for their safe and sound release. The situation has turned worst of all times as the floods and rains have wreaked havoc up to the extent of biggest natural disaster and worst human calamity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Spillover from River Swat has entered into River Kabul at Nowshera place resulting in submerging cantonment and other areas in water. Thousands of people, being trapped in floodwater, are waiting for help from government whereas District Headquarter Hospital was also seen flooded by many feet. At least 230 people have been reportedly killed while scores others have gone missing amid the deadliest spree of incidents occurred once in last three decades, wreaked by heavy downpours and floodwater all across Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province, media reports and television footages reported Friday morning. Many link bridges have been washed away, rendering many areas cutoff from other parts of cities and districts and leaving scores of people trapped at isolated places. Heavy showers have inflicted havoc, devastation in Swat and Shangla districts as furious floodwater, overflowing from River Swat, has played massive destruction in residential areas. Meanwhile, as many as 16 people have been killed by land sliding in Alandar locality in Shangla district. In Shangla district alone, more than 90 people have been killed in separate incidents as a result of two-day long spate of the torrential rains. 25 people have been wiped out by floodwater in Swat alone while Kabal, Matta, Bari Kot, Charbagh, Khwaza Khela, Behrin and Babuzai areas are no longer connected with other parts of country owing to destruction of link bridges. Floodwater has demolished numerous shops and houses in Kalam whereas land sliding, in Surkhel Balabanda locality of Batgram, has killed three brothers and sisters. A central bridge, a main road and dozens of houses have been inundated by floodwater near Thakot and Oralai due to flesh flood in River Indus. On second consecutive day, Sahrah-e-Kaghan remained closed for traffic by dint of incessant spree of cruel downpours and back-to-back incidents of land sliding, trapping thousands of tourists in Shogran, Kaghan and Naran districts. Hundreds of houses have been inundated by floodwater at Kasar place in Kohistan district while the residents of over 10 houses have reportedly gone missing as a result of devastating floods. The link bridge between Palis and Patan districts has been submerged in floodwater. River Kanhar has been feared to be in high-floods soon at Mansehra District, prompting authorities to evict people from areas settled along riverside. Civil Hospital, police station and main bazaar have been evacuated in view of anticipated floods in Balakot District. 12 dead bodies have been pulled out from rubble after the Jurma Bridge in Kohat Division collapsed following the deadliest floods in the history. Four people have been drowned in floodwater in Nowsehra District while over 25 people are still missing. Doctors, paramedical staff and patients trapped in District Headquarter Hospital have climbed on rooftop after floodwater has inundated hospital up to many feet. A total of 780 houses, 34 school buildings, 6 main bridges, 28 link bridges, 11 mosques and thousands acres land, meant for irrigation, have been washed away by floodwater at isolated places in Upper Dir. At least 11 persons including six children have been trampled to death following the collapse of house in Lower Dir while another 21 persons have been lashed out by floodwater. Nearly 9 persons died and 42 others were injured after floodwater, flowing out from River Swat and Jendi, played annihilation in Charsadda District. Several villages and the legislative assembly building have been flooded after River Gilgit was seen in high-flood. Five children have drowned in floodwater in Bannu District while over 40 houses have collapsed in Tehsil Bara in Khyber Agency.

KARACHI: A loud blast has been heard in an engine of PIA’s flight PK-747, a bowing commercial plane, when the airliner was preparing to take off at Jinnah International Airport. Engine caught fire following blast as the fire and smoke is seen emitting from engine. Explosion was reportedly happened when one of the engines suddenly started running in reverse, eyewitnesses said. The flight was bound to Islamabad from Karachi meanwhile rescue vehicles and police mobile vans have arrived near plane to determine the loss of life or goods if happened. PIA engineers said they will issue clearance after a thorough review of plane condition for operation of a flight.