“You Buy a Rs12 Billion Jet and Refuse to Answer Questions — Is This Democracy?” Asks Muhammad Malick
LAHORE: Senior journalist and television anchor Muhammad Malick has criticised the use of an expensive luxury aircraft by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, questioning the lack of accountability over its reported cost and calling for fundamental reforms to the country’s governance system.
Speaking at an event, Malick questioned how a government could acquire an aircraft reportedly worth billions of rupees without providing clear answers to the public.
“You buy a Rs12 billion aircraft and still refuse to answer questions. Is this democracy?” he asked.
Malick pointed out that Maryam Nawaz had initially referred to the aircraft as costing Rs9 billion but had more recently described its value as Rs10 billion to Rs11 billion.
He criticised what he described as an attitude of arrogance among those in positions of power, arguing that the existing system needed to change.
Bureaucracy Is the Biggest Challenge, Says Malick
Discussing Pakistan’s governance structure, Malick said the bureaucracy had developed entrenched interests that often prevented policies from being implemented effectively.
12ارب کا جہاز لیکر آپ جواب بھی نہ دیں ۔۔ یہ جمہوریت ہے ؟؟
وزیراعلی پہلے کہتی ہے کہ میں نے 9 بلین کا لیا ۔۔اب 4 دن پہلے کہتی ہے کہ 10-11 بلین کا لیا ۔۔
سب میں ایک شاہانہ تکبر( Emperor arrogance) آگیا ہے ۔۔نظام کو بدلنا ہوگا۔
محمد مالک https://t.co/zK5iqvkhue
— Exact Press International (@ExactPressIntl) October 22, 2026
He remarked that the bureaucracy had even undermined military rule in the past, adding that democratic institutions were comparatively fragile.
“Unless reforms are introduced, nothing will change, no matter what measures are taken,” he said.
Recalling his four decades in journalism, Malick said he had initially been told that the military was responsible for the country’s decline, before politicians were subsequently blamed.
After 40 years in the profession, he said, he considered the bureaucracy to be the country’s most powerful deep-state institution.
According to Malick, bureaucratic groups pursue their own interests, with officials sometimes preventing policies from being implemented for six months or longer. He also expressed concern over what he described as a lack of accountability within the system.
Maryam Nawaz Defends Use of Luxury Aircraft
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz defended her use of a Gulfstream G500 luxury jet while addressing an event in Lahore on October 2.
She reportedly said the aircraft was worth Rs10 billion to Rs11 billion and argued that other provinces had purchased helicopters costing Rs16 billion each without attracting similar criticism.
Maryam Nawaz also said she could not travel around the province on a motorcycle, defending the use of the aircraft for her official duties.
The controversy has prompted renewed debate over government spending, the use of public resources and accountability among elected officials.
Malick maintained that meaningful reforms were necessary to address the country’s governance problems and ensure that those in power answer questions about their decisions and expenditures.
