Islamabad — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shafi Jan has raised serious concerns over the Punjab government’s purchase of a Rs10 billion aircraft, calling for full transparency and public disclosure of its records.
Speaking during an interview, Shafi Jan said the government had initially given one explanation regarding the aircraft but later attributed the matter to a “technical fault,” which, he argued, has only deepened suspicions. He urged authorities to release all related records to the media to address public concerns and bring clarity to the issue.
He emphasized that the opposition would continue to pursue the matter, stating that neither the aircraft controversy nor alleged corruption linked to it would be ignored. “This is public tax money, and people are angry,” he said, adding that the manner in which the aircraft was purchased—allegedly without transparency—has raised questions about its quality and procurement process.
Referring to reports surrounding the aircraft, he claimed that a foreign pilot had been hired at a monthly salary of Rs20 million, while the aircraft’s fuel cost stands at approximately Rs500,000 per hour. He further alleged that Rs8 billion had been allocated for the plane’s operational expenses until June 2026, terming it an example of “luxury at the expense of the public.”
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The PTI leader also criticized what he described as excessive government spending on official visits. He cited a recent visit by the prime minister to Karachi, claiming that a convoy of 37 vehicles was used and around Rs50 million were spent on the trip.
Additionally, Shafi Jan alleged that new vehicle purchases worth billions of rupees had been approved by the Punjab cabinet, including a luxury car costing Rs90 million for the chief minister. He questioned whether such expenditures were justified amid economic challenges faced by the public.
He concluded by warning that the issue could develop into a major financial scandal in the future if transparency is not ensured, reiterating the opposition’s demand for accountability and disclosure of all relevant details.
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