The Punjab government has announced its intention to initiate legal action against individuals and entities accused of spreading false information concerning the use of the provincial government’s official aircraft. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated on Sunday that a “deliberate and malicious campaign of lies and fabricated stories” was being propagated by those she described as “pathological liars and peddlers of fake news” regarding the government plane.

Aurangzeb confirmed that the provincial government will file lawsuits under the Defamation Law 2024 against every person and platform involved in disseminating this alleged disinformation. “Disinformation will no longer go unanswered. Those who think they can malign institutions and mislead the public without consequence should prepare to face the law,” she asserted.

The minister emphasized that the Punjab government would seek the maximum penalty under the law to make a clear statement that “fake news is not journalism but defamation.”

These statements come amidst a political debate surrounding the Punjab government’s acquisition of a Gulfstream business jet, reportedly valued at approximately Rs10 billion. The acquisition has faced criticism from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which alleged that the aircraft was primarily intended for the personal use of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

However, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari had previously refuted these claims, explaining that the provincial government aims to establish a fleet under a proposed “Air Punjab” initiative. According to Bokhari, some aircraft will be purchased while others will be leased, with the Gulfstream jet being part of this larger plan.

Aviation industry sources indicated that the Punjab government acquired a Gulfstream G500 aircraft, bearing the US registration number N144S, at an estimated cost of around Rs10 billion. Flight tracking data revealed that the seven-year-old jet arrived in Lahore on December 28, having traveled from Bangor in North America to Hurghada, Egypt, before landing at Allama Iqbal International Airport.

The aircraft remained at the Lahore airport for approximately 40 days, during which it reportedly underwent interior refurbishment and customization. The jet conducted its first domestic flight on February 6, traveling from Lahore to Multan, and has since operated several flights under the call sign “PUNJAB2” to various destinations including Quetta, Mianwali, Sialkot, and Rawalpindi.