"Rescue operations continue. At the moment 36 bodies are recovered," local television channel Geo TV said, citing the press service of the Pakistani army.
The broadcaster also reported that 500 servicemen are taking part in the operation.
The crash may have been caused by the engine failure.
"PIA flight 661, an ATR carrying over 45 people crashed into a hilly terrain in Pakistan’s North around 16:30. There is no news of any survivors. Pilot’s mayday call said that left engine was on fire and switching off the engine was last heard. ATR with one engine switched off can barely maintain level flight. If the good engine produces less thrust the problem gets amplified. It seems the aircraft kept descending and went into the hill. Unfortunately the pilot could not do anything. The actual cause will be however determined by Investigation Team," Ex Air Force and Aviation Pilot, Group Captain, Khalid Mehmood told Sputnik.
The aircraft was supposed to land in Islamabad at 4:40 p.m. local time (11:40 GMT) but was reported as missing by the airline.
