PESHAWAR, April 23: Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Dost Mohammad Khan on Monday said the court would take notice of the Bhoja Air crash as it had issued clear directives to the government on January 19 this year to conduct safety audit of all aircraft of PIA and private airlines within three months.

“Had the directives been implemented in letter and spirit, Bhoja Air plane crash could have been averted and precious human lives saved,” he observed while hearing different cases as the judge of a single-member bench.

The chief justice said there was no worth of human life in Pakistan and it was considered very cheap.

He said a few months ago, the high court had given clear directives and made it clear that in case of delay in implementation of the court’s order and any mishap, the government would be held responsible.

On January 19, a bench headed by PHC Chief Justice Dost Mohammad Khan expressed dissatisfaction over conditions of passenger planes of PIA and private airlines and given directives to the defence ministry and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for forming board of inquiry including foreign experts for inspection of all aircraft of PIA and private airliners here, and examining the performance of the CAA and the capability of flying pilots and other crew members.

It said the said board should be competent to examine facilities and safety measures provided by CAA both to aircraft during flight hours, equipments, ground communication systems, landing and taking of facilities and spare parts purchased and available in store. It added that the capacity of mechanical, electrical and other engineering staff attached with aircraft on daily basis and provide fitness certificate should also be looked into.

The court issued the directives in a writ petition related to the Airblue plane crash filed by former MNA Marvi Memon and several others, which is again fixed for hearing on April 25.

The chief justice on Tuesday observed that the concerned officials had not been taking the orders of the court seriously. He added that few months ago, the Supreme Court had taken notice of the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi and had pointed out the names of several groups involved in it but the government didn’t take action against the culpable groups.

Meanwhile, the bench upheld a man’s conviction of explosive smuggling from Fata to Peshawar by dismissing his appeal.

Bahadur Sher was arrested on December 31, 2010, by personnel of Sarband police station here. Police claimed he was transporting 600 dynamite sticks from Fata when arrested.

The appellant was convicted by the trial court and sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment. The state prosecutor said the appellant was caught with explosive substances.