Punjab govt set to buy two aircraft

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has decided to purchase two new aircraft for VVIP movement, The Express Tribune has learnt.

An official familiar with the plan said that currently, the government owned only one helicopter. He said it was proposed in a meeting chaired by the chief minister that an airplane and a helicopter should be purchased.



“A committee comprising representatives of the Pakistan International Airlines, the Pakistan Air Force, the army and the Civil Aviation Authority, has been formed to decide the type of aircraft to be purchased,” he said.

Further, the official said that the committee was considering purchasing an MI-17 or a Bell-412 helicopter. The MI-17 can carry up to 30 passengers, while the Bell-412 can carry a maximum of 14 people.

Earlier this month, the Punjab government released Rs364.4 million for the Sharif family’s security in the Jati Umra town near Lahore. The funds will be used for reinforcing security and purchasing vehicles. These expenses are in addition to the funds already specified in the current budget for the security of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif; his brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif; and their families.



According to government documents, intelligence agencies and the Punjab Communication & Works Department had held a secret audit in the wake of threats to the Sharif family. The survey results concluded that their security was unsatisfactory and that terrorists could take advantage of the weaknesses to attack them.

The provincial government immediately released Rs283.2m for erecting a 4.4-kilometre fence. Ninety CCTV cameras and 100 LED lights will be installed and 20 elevated checkpoints set up. According to sources, Rs197.2m would be spent to set up the fence and checkpoints, while Rs86m on purchase of security equipment.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th,  2015.