Azma Bokhari, the Punjab Information Minister, has strongly defended Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s use of the provincial government’s official jet during a recent private visit to London, rejecting opposition allegations that public resources were misused. “Absolutely incorrect. The Punjab chief minister paid all expenses for her London trip out of her own pocket,” Bokhari stated in a post on X on Thursday, as she pushed back against mounting criticism.
The controversy erupted after Maryam Nawaz travelled to London last week to attend the graduation ceremony of her daughter, Mahnoor, and returned to Lahore on Wednesday. The government maintains that the chief minister personally covered all costs associated with the trip, but opposition leaders have questioned why an official aircraft was used for what they describe as a private family event.
During her stay in London, Maryam Nawaz also faced questions about the ongoing debate over the creation of new provinces. She avoided giving a detailed response, saying she would speak on the issue after returning home and holding consultations. When asked about her earlier statement that Punjab was facing a threat of terrorism from its provincial borders, she remarked: “Punjab is facing a threat from incompetence.”
Opposition leaders continued to target the chief minister over her use of the official aircraft. Former federal minister and PTI leader Moonis Elahi, in a post on X, linked the controversy to the rising cost of fuel. The 2019-manufactured Gulfstream G500, reportedly valued at around $38 million to $42 million—more than Rs10 billion—has remained under scrutiny ever since reports emerged about its acquisition by the provincial government.
Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz’s daughter Mahnoor is set to tie the knot on Saturday, with her nikkah ceremony scheduled to be held at the Sharif family’s residence in Jati Umra, a family source told Dawn on Thursday. According to the source, Mahnoor’s marriage has been arranged with a member of a prominent business family. The ceremony is expected to be a private family affair, with only close relatives and members of the extended family attending.
The jet controversy has revived debates over the use of government resources for personal purposes, with the opposition demanding greater transparency. Bokhari’s defense underscores the government’s position that no public funds were misused, but the issue continues to generate political heat.
The episode highlights the persistent scrutiny faced by the Punjab chief minister and her administration, as opponents seize on the aircraft’s use to question fiscal responsibility. With the nikkah ceremony approaching, attention may shift, but the Political order remains charged.
Source: Dawn News