Maryam Nawaz Justifies Use of Gov Plane

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz defended her use of a provincial government aircraft for a trip to London, claiming the plane belongs to the Punjab government and is available to all provincial chief executives. The statement was made during an inaugural ceremony for an electric bus service in Multan on September 17, 2026, where she was addressing the public and media.

According to Nawaz, the cost of the flight was Rs27.5 million, a figure she said was covered by the provincial budget allocated for official travel. She emphasized that the aircraft is part of the Punjab government’s fleet and that its use is governed by established protocols that allow provincial leaders to travel for official duties. The chief minister also highlighted that the plane is available to other provincial chief executives, suggesting that her usage was consistent with policy.

The controversy arose after a video clip of Nawaz’s departure on the government plane surfaced on social media, sparking criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups. Critics argued that the flight was unnecessary and that the funds could have been better spent on public services. They also questioned whether the flight was truly for official business, noting that Nawaz had previously attended a private conference in London.

In response, Nawaz’s office released a statement clarifying that the trip was part of a diplomatic delegation to discuss trade and investment opportunities between Punjab and the United Kingdom. The statement also mentioned that the delegation included several provincial officials and that the flight was booked through the official travel channel. She further added that the use of the aircraft was in line with the Punjab government’s travel policy, which allows the use of government planes for official visits.

The incident has prompted calls for greater transparency in the use of public resources. The Punjab Assembly has scheduled a committee meeting to review the travel policy and to examine the financial implications of using government aircraft for international trips. Meanwhile, opposition leaders have demanded a detailed audit of the flight expenses and a review of the procurement process for the aircraft itself.