Maryam Nawaz pays Rs27.2m for use of Punjab govt aircraft for London trip

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has deposited around Rs27.2 million in the public exchequer after criticism over the use of the provincial government's aircraft for her private trip to London.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Zahid Bokhari confirmed that Rs27.197 million had been deposited in the exchequer. She had earlier said that the chief minister would pay for the expenses incurred on the aircraft for her London visit out of her own pocket.

Tweet by Azma Zahid Bokhari

According to reports, the cost of the use of the aircraft for the CM's London trip from September 5 to 9 was calculated at Rs27,194,004.

The Punjab government's Services & General Administration Department (S&GAD) formally sought reimbursement after receiving bills for the aircraft expenses from Jetstream International and Pakistan State Oil (PSO).

The entire amount was subsequently deposited at the National Bank of Pakistan’s Valencia branch through a Bank of Punjab cheque.

CM Maryam had travelled to London earlier this month to attend the graduation ceremony of her daughter, Mahnoor Safdar. She described the three-day visit as a private trip and used the Punjab government-owned Gulfstream G500 aircraft.

The use of the government aircraft for a private visit drew criticism from opposition leaders, journalists and other critics, who argued that the expense placed an additional burden on the public exchequer.