An Islamabad District and Sessions Court has ordered Airblue to pay Rs5.41 billion in compensation to the families of victims of the 2010 plane crash near Islamabad, marking a major legal development after more than a decade of waiting for justice.
The verdict was announced after the court dismissed eight appeals filed by Airblue, rejecting the airline’s attempts to limit its liability. The judges also imposed an Rs8 million fine on Airblue for delaying compensation and repeatedly challenging earlier rulings. In its remarks, the court criticized the airline for wasting judicial time and prolonging the suffering of affected families.
The compensation amount will be distributed among the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic crash, in line with the court’s decision. The ruling came in response to a civil claim that challenged an earlier judgment, which had awarded limited damages that families argued were insufficient.
The 2010 crash occurred when an Airblue flight from Karachi crashed into the Margalla Hills while approaching Islamabad airport, killing all 152 passengers and crew on board. The incident remains one of Pakistan’s deadliest aviation disasters and has long been a symbol of unresolved accountability.
While this verdict brings some relief, legal proceedings are not fully over. Appeals filed by victims’ families are still pending before the Islamabad High Court. That court had earlier sent the case back to the sessions court for final adjudication.
For many families, the ruling is a step toward long-overdue recognition of their loss, even as the emotional scars of the tragedy remain.
