Punjab govt transfers Gulfstream jet’s operational control to PAF, documents show

The Punjab government has handed over the operational control and maintenance of its Gulfstream G500 jet to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), with the provincial cabinet approving the arrangement, according to official documents.

The decision was taken because of the limited technical capabilities of the provincial government’s VIP Flight Wing, which had consulted the PAF before transferring responsibility for operating and maintaining the aircraft.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was subsequently signed between the Punjab government and the air force, outlining arrangements for the jet’s maintenance, technical matters and financial responsibilities.

The provincial government’s VIP jet has also been deregistered with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), while the PAF has assigned it a new tail number.

Three serving PAF pilots have been deputed to the Punjab government to operate the aircraft. They are conducting flights alongside pilots employed by the provincial government, the documents added.

PAF assumes operational responsibilities

According to the documents obtained by Hum News, the PAF has the technical expertise and infrastructure required to maintain the Gulfstream business jet.

Document shows approval of the draft MoU between Punjab government and the Pakistan Air Force for maintenance, technical and financial arrangements for the aircraft. — SHAFIQ SHARIF/HUM NEWS

The arrangement followed consultations between the provincial government’s VIP Flight Wing and the air force over the technical requirements of operating the aircraft.

Under the MoU, the air force will provide technical and maintenance support, while its three deputed pilots will work with the provincial government’s flight crew.

The Punjab government, however, declined to comment on the transfer of the jet’s operational control and maintenance responsibilities to the PAF.

Maryam defends use of VIP jet

The development comes amid criticism of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s use of the provincial government’s luxury aircraft for a private family visit to London.

Speaking at the inauguration of electric buses in Multan last month, Maryam said she had personally paid Rs27.5 million towards parking and other expenses associated with the trip, insisting that the money had not come from the public exchequer.

“There is a lot of criticism these days about the aircraft. I paid Rs27.5 million myself, and the money was not taken from the public exchequer,” she said.

The chief minister displayed footage of the paid bill on her mobile phone but said she was not obliged to provide documents to YouTubers or her critics. She added that the relevant record would be submitted before the appropriate forum.

CM Maryam travelled to London to attend her daughter Mahnoor Safdar’s graduation ceremony and returned to Lahore on September 9.

Her use of the Gulfstream G500 for the private visit prompted opposition politicians and commentators to question the use of a government-owned aircraft for personal travel.

The matter was also raised in the Punjab Assembly, where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MPA Waqas Mahmood Maan submitted an adjournment motion seeking a debate on the reported expenditure and the legal and administrative authority for the aircraft’s use.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari and Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb had previously maintained that Maryam would bear the expenses of the London visit.

Responding to the criticism, the chief minister said all four provincial chief ministers had government aircraft and questioned why she was being singled out. She stressed that the jet belonged to the Punjab government rather than her personally and said she would continue using it for official travel.

Gulfstream acquisition draws scrutiny

The use of the VIP jet has renewed scrutiny of its acquisition, which has faced criticism amid Pakistan’s economic difficulties.

The 19-seat Gulfstream G500, manufactured in 2019, has been reported to be worth between $38 million and $42 million, or more than Rs10 billion.

Opposition figures and critics have questioned the purchase of an expensive business jet when a significant section of the population continues to face financial hardship. They have also sought transparency over its financing, including whether the aircraft was purchased outright or leased.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari previously said the aircraft was part of a fleet being developed for the provincial government’s proposed airline, Air Punjab, which was preparing to launch commercial flights in April.

Critics, however, have questioned the suitability of a luxury business jet for commercial airline operations, arguing that its acquisition primarily serves VIP transportation.

Supporters of the purchase maintain that owning a modern aircraft would reduce the province’s reliance on federal resources for official travel.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has declined to comment on the transfer of the jet’s operational control and maintenance responsibilities to the PAF.