Rana Sanaullah Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, has defended the Punjab government’s acquisition of a new jet, asserting that it is an asset of the provincial government and not a personal belonging of any political party or Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. “Some people have made the plane an issue only for propaganda. Punjab is a big province; it has huge resources [to buy such a plane],” Sanaullah stated during a Senate session. He emphasized that the new aircraft replaces a jet that is 25 to 30 years old and is expected to serve for another three to four decades, thus representing a long-term investment for the Punjab government.

The purchase of the luxury Gulfstream business jet, estimated to cost between $38-42 million (approximately Rs11 billion), has sparked considerable debate. The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has accused the Chief Minister-led administration of procuring the jet for personal use. Countering these allegations, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari indicated that the provincial government is working towards establishing an “Air Punjab” fleet, which will include various types of aircraft acquired through purchase and lease agreements. The newly acquired jet is presented as part of this larger strategic initiative.