KARACHI: Relatives of the 97 victims died in the Pakistan International Airlines’ plane crash on May 22, 2020 on Saturday held a memorial event near the site of the crash in Model Colony to remember their loved-ones on their first death anniversary.

PIA flight PK-8303 had crashed onto houses in Model Colony’s Jinnah Garden killing 97 passengers and crew members on board and one teenage girl on the ground. Two passengers, however, miraculously survived the crash. The relatives observed the first death anniversary of the plane crash victims in a park in Jinnah Garden, Model Colony after Asr prayers. A special prayer was also made for the departed souls.

While the victims’ families said that they had invited provincial government’s high-ups to the programme but none of them attended the event. Most victims’ families have not been paid compensation/insurance money. They held the event to show all those concerned that they were united in seeking justice for their loved-ones who died in the crash.

Meanwhile, special prayer and one-minute silence was also observed by the PIA staff at all airports across Pakistan to mark the first anniversary of the air crash.

A PIA statement issued on Saturday said that the one-minute silence was observed at exactly 2:44pm, when PIA staff stopped work in remembrance for all those who lost their lives due to the tragic air crash. A special prayer (Dua) was also offered.

PIA chief retired Air Marshal Arshad Malik said that PIA safety management system had been revisited and improved, whereas continuous steps were being taken in accordance with the international safety standards, the statement said.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2021