Punjab Assembly Erupts Over Provincial Government’s Aircraft Purchase

A heated debate broke out in the Punjab Assembly over the provincial government’s purchase of an aircraft, as opposition members strongly questioned the move during the question hour session in Lahore.

During proceedings related to the Information Department, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Shazia Abid asked whether the chief minister would use an Rs11 billion aircraft to visit Rajanpur, sparking tension in the house.

In response, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said that if Bilawal Bhutto Zardari could travel on the Sindh government’s aircraft, then it was the Punjab government’s prerogative to use its own plane as it deemed fit.

Opposition Leader Moin Riaz Qureshi questioned under which budgetary head the aircraft had been purchased and what justification existed for the expenditure. In protest, opposition lawmakers waved paper airplanes inside the assembly.

The Speaker remarked that if it were his responsibility to respond, he would have defended the aircraft purchase as appropriate, but clarified that giving such a response was not his role.

The opposition also raised concerns about the health and imprisonment of Imran Khan. Government member Rana Arshad said critics should also reflect on their own tenure.

Tensions further escalated when ruling party lawmaker Ahsan Raza referred to the PTI founder using derogatory language, prompting uproar in the house. The Speaker ordered the expunging of unparliamentary remarks, stating that inappropriate language against political leaders would not be tolerated.