Maryam Aurangzeb hits back at PTI amid CM Punjab’s luxury jet controversy

Mariyum Aurangzeb and Azma Bukhari strongly condemned criticism by PTI members over Punjab government’s controversial purchase of a luxury jet for CM Punjab.

Aurangzeb accused PTI supporters of spreading “filth” on media against CM Punjab. She claimed the criticism reflected a “toxic mindset” rooted in PTI’s mindset and claimed that legal action against defamatory campaigns is often misrepresented as a ban on freedom of speech.

Meanwhile, Azma Bukhari backed those remarks, describing the critics as exhibiting a “toxic mindset” while defending the government’s narrative. 

Moreover, both ministers rejected claims that the aircraft was acquired for the personal use of the chief minister.

However, PTI, has criticized the roughly Rs 10-11 billion jet purchase as an “extravagant expenditure” amid economic hardship, calling it unjustifiable when inflation and poverty is prevalent nationwide. 

PTI information secretary, Sheikh Waqas Akram, and other critics linked the jet purchase to a proposed Air Punjab airline project and claimed it lacks a clear roadmap and amounts to misuse of public funds.

Moreover, analysts have raised questions about the commercial feasibility of incorporating such a luxury aircraft into the airline fleet, while some government officials say that it will reduce reliance on federal and military transport for official duties.