The additional district court, led by Judge Rasool Bashir Mirjat, rejected an appeal filed by Airblue, upheld the airline’s liability, and imposed a fine of Rs1,000,000 for delaying the proceedings.

Airblue Flight 202, which took off from Karachi on July 28, 2010, crashed into the Margalla Hills near Islamabad, killing all 152 passengers and crew on board.

According to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the crash was classified as a “Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT),” caused by pilot errors, poor cockpit management, and deviation from standard procedures during a circling approach in poor visibility. Rain and low clouds further complicated the landing.

Investigators also noted that air traffic control errors contributed to unsafe conditions, adding to the tragedy.

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The court ruling marks a major step for the families who have sought accountability and fair compensation for over 15 years. Many victims’ families were initially forced to accept minimal compensation, but a few persisted in seeking justice through the courts.

Legal experts believe this judgment could set an important precedent for aviation liability and compensation in Pakistan, ensuring airlines are held accountable for negligence.