Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has again responded to criticism over her use of the provincial government’s aircraft, questioning whether she should travel to official engagements by motorcycle or public transport.
Speaking at a senior officers’ leadership course in Lahore on October 2, she said the aircraft belongs to the Punjab government and the office of the chief minister, rather than to her personally. She also said she would not take the aircraft with her after leaving office.
The controversy intensified after Maryam used the government aircraft to travel to London for her daughter’s graduation. She later said she had personally paid Rs27.5 million for the trip, including related expenses.
Maryam has argued that her position requires frequent travel across Punjab and abroad and that using an aircraft saves time. She previously asked whether she should travel by Qingqi, motorcycle or Metrobus instead.
The aircraft at the centre of the debate is a Gulfstream G500, which the Punjab government has acknowledged cost around Rs9 billion. Reports also indicate that Punjab already had another aircraft before acquiring the Gulfstream.
