Punjab’s quiet acquisition of luxury Gulfstream jet spurs scrutiny

Industry estimates put aircraft’s value btw $38m-$42m; Azma Bokhari says jet is for Air Punjab

LAHORE:

The Punjab government’s apparent acquisition of a high-end Gulfstream business jet has drawn scrutiny after an official job advertisement seeking a pilot specifically trained on the aircraft surfaced, offering rare confirmation of a major purchase that authorities have not publicly acknowledged.

Open-source aviation tracking and posts by strategic affairs observers indicate that the provincial government has acquired a 2019-manufactured Gulfstream GVII-G500, a long-range luxury aircraft typically used by heads of state and corporate executives.

The jet, bearing manufacturer serial number 72022 and previously registered in the United States as N144S, has been observed operating VIP flights for Punjab in recent days.

A post by the STRATCOM Bureau on X on Monday stated that the Government of the Punjab had acquired the aircraft for VIP transport.

Happy to note that the Government of Punjab, Pakistan has acquired a new, 2019-manufactured Gulfstream GVII-G500 aircraft for their VIP transport role. pic.twitter.com/XFp4TgVQUw

— The STRATCOM Bureau (@OSPSF) February 16, 2026

Aviation observers separately noted that the jet flew from Lahore to Sialkot on February 16 using the call sign “Punjab 2,” which is conventionally used when the chief minister is on board.

 

Industry estimates put the aircraft’s market value between $38 million and $42 million (over Rs11billion), depending on configuration and maintenance status.

Neither the provincial government nor the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) has issued a formal announcement regarding the purchase, its financing, or approval process.

However, an official government advertisement has provided indirect but compelling confirmation.

Earlier in November 2025, S&GAD advertised a BS-19 pilot position for the Punjab VIP Flight, explicitly stating that preference would be given to candidates type-rated on Hawker 400XP or Gulfstream G-500 aircraft. Aviation experts say such specificity is unusual unless the aircraft is already operational or imminently inducted.

“The advertisement effectively confirms what tracking data and flight observations already suggested,” said a commercial pilot familiar with government aviation operations. “You don’t seek a G500-rated pilot unless the aircraft is flying — or about to fly.”

The post, offered on a one-year extendable contract, requires an Air Transport Pilot Licence and at least 2,000 flying hours, including extensive experience on twin-engine jets. While the qualifications align with international safety norms, governance analysts argue that the broader issue lies elsewhere.

“The concern is not the competence of pilots or aircraft safety,” said a Lahore-based public policy analyst. “It’s the silence around a purchase of this scale at a time when the province is publicly advocating austerity.”

Noted economist, Dr Kaiser Bengali, said there is no austerity in both federal and provincial governments, however, "Such non-developmental expenditures should be curtailed in the present economic circumstances."

As public attention increasingly turns to state spending and accountability, analysts say the episode highlights a familiar pattern: major decisions involving VIP privileges becoming public only through fragments — flight data, job notices, and open-source intelligence — rather than formal disclosure.

The government’s silence had left the aircraft’s acquisition open to interpretation, with the pilot advertisement serving as the clearest official acknowledgment yet that Punjab’s VIP fleet has entered a new, far more expensive class.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari addressed the matter later today during a press conference, saying the jet was purchased for regional airline Air Punjab.

"We are buying different planes for Air Punjab and some will be leased. The [purpose] is to make a fleet with all kinds of planes and this [jet] is one link of that." 

Politicians react

Former finance minister Miftah Ismail criticised the alleged purchase of a luxury jet, linking it to the recent rise in fuel prices, in a post on X.

“So while Pakistanis are supposed to tighten our belts and sacrifice, Punjab’s entitled VIPs are fastening their seatbelts for taking off in luxury private jets,” he wrote.

Two news reports came yesterday that I was want to juxtapose.

One, Stratcom’s claim (that hasn’t been denied by the Punjab government) that the Punjab government has acquired a Gulf Stream jet for VIPs for between $38m and $42m (or Rs 1064 crore and Rs 1176 crore).

Two, the… https://t.co/NUXD0BXEmy

— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) February 17, 2026

Former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair also commented on X, describing the aircraft as a “beautiful plane worth more than 1000 crore” that has allegedly been acquired by the Punjab government for the use of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and other party members.

Such a beautiful plane worth more than 1000 crore which has been bought by Punjab govt for use of its CM & party’s elite.
Can a nation struggling with economy- 45% people below poverty line and record unemployment afford this luxury ? Punjab govt May issue a denial if not true pic.twitter.com/uTjGlOuGCx

— Mohammad Zubair (@Real_MZubair) February 17, 2026

“Can a nation struggling with the economy – 45% of people below the poverty line and record unemployment – afford this luxury?” he added. He further said that the Punjab government should simply issue a denial if the report is false.