LAHORE:
Amid controversy over the purchase of a luxury jet for the chief minister, the provincial government has announced that Air Punjab, its flagship airline project, will begin operations in April with the first commercial flight.
Officials said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is fast-tracking preparations for the launch. In its initial phase, the airline will operate with a fleet of seven passenger aircraft and will serve domestic routes only for the first two years. International operations are planned to follow.
The officials added that the Punjab cabinet had approved the establishment of Air Punjab (Private) Limited in November last year, with CM Maryam Nawaz presiding over the meeting. The company was incorporated with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan at the Lahore Company Registration Office on July 24, 2025.
Government officials further highlighted that the chief minister’s existing helicopter will also be inducted into Air Punjab’s fleet and will serve as the airline’s first operational asset. They stressed that no separate aircraft will be purchased for the chief minister or other VIPs. Instead, the chief minister, cabinet members and senior government officials will travel on Air Punjab flights.
Officials said a strategy has been finalised to ensure that the airline does not place an additional burden on the provincial exchequer. All aircraft, both existing and newly acquired, will be operated on a fully commercial basis. Whenever the chief minister uses an Air Punjab aircraft, the full commercial fare will be paid, the officials added. The announcement comes amid criticism on social media over the reported acquisition of a business jet, with critics alleging that public funds were used to purchase a luxury aircraft for official use.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has rejected those claims, saying the aircraft in question is part of a fleet being developed for Air Punjab. She said the public would be briefed once all arrangements are finalised and insisted that the aircraft was not acquired for personal or VIP use.
However, former federal finance minister Miftah Ismail, speaking on a television talk show, challenged the government’s explanation. He said no commercial airline in the world inducts a luxury business jet for airline operations, arguing that such aircraft are not economically viable. He maintained that the government was attempting to justify extravagant spending by linking the jet to Air Punjab, adding that the 16-seat aircraft was effectively intended for the chief minister and VIP travel.
Several social media users also drew comparisons with the recent privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines, alleging that while the national airline was sold for around Rs10 billion, the Punjab government had reportedly spent more than that amount on a single luxury jet.
The aircraft under scrutiny is a Gulfstream G500, valued at approximately Rs1011 billion. The aircraft is reportedly registered in the United States under registration number N144S and has not yet been registered in Pakistan.
The provincial government has also advertised vacancies for the airline’s senior management, including chief executive officer, chief operating officer and chief financial officer, indicating progress toward operational readiness.
