Punjab govt hands over Gulfstream G500 jet's operational control to PAF

The Punjab government has approved handing over the operational control and maintenance of its Gulfstream G500 aircraft to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

According to official documents, the provincial government has approved a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Punjab government and the PAF, covering the aircraft's maintenance, technical matters and financial arrangements.

The Additional Secretary Welfare and the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) has been authorised to sign the MoU on behalf of the provincial government.

The aircraft has already been de-registered with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), the documents state.

Meanwhile, the services of three serving PAF pilots have been placed at the disposal of the Punjab government on deputation. They will carry out flight operations alongside the provincial government's pilots.

The PAF has trained personnel and the necessary infrastructure to maintain the Gulfstream G-500, according to the documents. The Punjab government's VIP Flight Wing held consultations with the PAF on transferring operational control and maintenance responsibilities of the aircraft to the air force.

During the consultations, the two sides stressed the need to ensure safe flights, continuous operational readiness and round-the-clock availability of the aircraft.

The Punjab cabinet approved the proposal to hand over the aircraft's operational control and maintenance to the PAF.