Punjab govt’s VIP jet purchase draws criticism amid economic strain

ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has acquired a 2019-model Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G500 business jet worth an estimated $38–42 million for official use, a move that has sparked criticism amid the country’s fragile economic conditions.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz confirmed the purchase in a post on X, saying the province would “no longer have to beg the federal government or Pakistan Air Force for a plane.”

The US-registered aircraft, recently spotted at Allama Iqbal International Airport, replaces older aircraft used for official transport.

The GVII-G500 has a range of approximately 5,300 nautical miles and can seat up to 19 passengers, according to manufacturer specifications.

The acquisition comes as Pakistan grapples with high inflation, fiscal pressures and sluggish economic growth.

Punjab, the country’s most populous province, carries public debt of around Rs1.7 trillion, according to official budget documents.

Critics questioned the timing of the purchase. Former Sindh governor Mohammad Zubair said on social media that the aircraft, which he estimated to be worth more than Rs1,000 crore, represented an unnecessary luxury at a time when the country faces economic hardship.

“Can a nation struggling with the economy — 45 per cent of people below the poverty line and record unemployment — afford this luxury?” he wrote, urging the provincial government to clarify the matter if the reports were inaccurate.

Supporters of the move argue the jet is a modern replacement that will facilitate official travel and reduce reliance on federal resources. Provincial officials have not publicly disclosed financing details or whether the aircraft was purchased outright or through a lease arrangement.

Pakistan remains under an International Monetary Fund programme aimed at stabilising its economy, while federal and provincial governments face mounting pressure to curb spending and prioritise social sectors such as health and education.

The Punjab government has not yet issued a detailed statement outlining the cost structure, procurement process or intended operational use of the aircraft.