Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has defended her use of the provincial government’s Gulfstream G500 aircraft for a private trip to London, saying her time is more valuable than the cost of air travel. Speaking at the inauguration of an electric bus service in Multan, CM Maryam said a chief minister’s visit could not be considered entirely private because she remained engaged in official work wherever she was. “Wherever I need to go for public welfare, I will travel by plane, ” she said, responding to criticism over her use of the aircraft. CM Maryam said she had been facing criticism over travelling on the government aircraft, which she described as the Punjab chief minister’s plane rather than her personal aircraft. She said every chief minister had access to a government aircraft, but criticism was directed specifically at her. The chief minister said she had also visited flood-hit areas by boat when required, but travelling abroad by motorcycle or rickshaw was not practical. “My most valuable resource is time, ” she said, adding that travelling by aircraft saved time and she did not have time to waste. CM Maryam said she had paid around Rs27. 19 million from her own funds to cover the cost of using the aircraft for her London trip. Payment documents show that Rs27, 194, 004 was deposited into the Punjab government’s treasury account at the National Bank of Pakistan’s Valencia Branch in Lahore on Thursday through a Bank of Punjab cheque. The payment was made after the chief minister faced criticism for using the provincial government’s aircraft to attend the graduation ceremony of her daughter, Mahnoor Safdar, in London earlier this month. Maryam said she had planned to stay in London for two days but returned on time because she had her own aircraft. She said commercial flights were disrupted due to technical issues at airports, forcing some passengers to wait several days. “For me, three or four days are not just days; they are three or four public projects, ” she said. CM Maryam also said her office continued to function whether she was in Pakistan or travelling abroad. She said she had considered travelling to Multan by motorcycle or rickshaw before opting to travel by the electric bus for the event. She accused her critics of ignoring her use of public transport and said the criticism was directed at the development work being carried out in Punjab. The chief minister also claimed that some people received financial benefits for criticising her on social media. The Punjab government’s Gulfstream G500 aircraft has faced scrutiny since its acquisition, particularly over its use for Maryam’s London trip. Aaj News reported that the Rs27. 194 million payment settled the expenses incurred during the September 5-9 trip.
Maryam Nawaz defends use of Punjab government jet for London trip
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