Punjab’s Rs9bn Luxury Jet Far Outpaces Other Provinces’ Official Aircraft, Fact-Check Reveals After Maryam Nawaz’s Defence

Lahore: Fresh details about official aircraft available to Pakistan’s provincial governments have surfaced following criticism over Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s use of a government plane for a private visit to London, showing that Punjab operates a luxury jet worth billions of rupees that is far newer and more expensive than the aviation facilities available to all other provinces.

According to a fact-check by Geo News, Maryam Nawaz and later Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari stated at an event in Multan that chief ministers of all four provinces have official aircraft at their disposal and use them, arguing that singling out Maryam Nawaz for criticism was therefore unfair. However, investigations and facts released by spokespersons of all provinces present a different picture.

CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif says all chief ministers have aircrafts. What do the provinces actually have?

Geo Fact Check's Saman Amjad finds out. https://t.co/LkbB4zIFMj

— Benazir Shah (@Benazir_Shah) September 22, 2026

A report shared by journalist Benazir Shah revealed that the Punjab government possesses an extremely luxurious aircraft named Gulfstream G500, estimated to be worth around Rs9 billion. In addition, the Punjab government already had an operational Hawker aircraft.

By contrast, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government does not have any fixed-wing aircraft at all, and only operates a small three-seat helicopter purchased in 2010. The Balochistan government has a seven-seat Learjet from 2012 and two helicopters that are 19 and 10 years old, while the Sindh government is using an old Learjet from 2006 and two helicopters that are 34 years old.

It is noteworthy that the Gulfstream jet, purchased at a cost of Rs9 billion, had already become controversial before the London trip. When news of the aircraft’s purchase first emerged, Punjab officials initially refused to acknowledge that it had been bought for the chief minister, while Provincial Minister Azma Bukhari claimed the plane was being purchased for the anticipated commercial airline “Air Punjab.” Later, however, ministers admitted that the jet was being used for the chief minister’s official and travel purposes.