Punjab CM Office Refuses to Share Details of Maryam Nawaz’s Tours, Vehicles and Luxury Jet

RTI Requests on Government Spending Face Rejection

The Punjab Chief Minister’s Office has declined to provide information related to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s official vehicles, foreign visits, and the recently discussed luxury aircraft reportedly acquired by the provincial government.

The requests were submitted under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act by lawyer Abdullah Malik, who sought records of public spending linked to the chief minister’s official activities.

According to the applications, details were requested about fuel expenses, maintenance costs of official vehicles, foreign tours, and the total number of vehicles being used by the chief minister along with their prices and models. Information regarding helicopter or aircraft usage, travel mileage, and the salaries of the CM House social media team was also sought.

Questions Raised Over Japan Visit and Official Delegation

The applicant further requested details regarding Maryam Nawaz’s visit to Japan, including whether approval had been taken from the Ministry of Finance and how many officials accompanied her during the trip.

However, the Punjab CM Office responded that the requested information was “not held” by the office. Authorities also cited Section 13(1)(e) of the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act, claiming the information could not be disclosed due to security and safety concerns.

Luxury G500 Jet Remains Under Public Spotlight

In a separate request filed earlier this year, details were sought about the reported purchase of a G500 luxury jet, estimated to cost between $38 million and $42 million. The aircraft has remained a hot topic on Pakistani social media, with critics questioning the need for such an expensive acquisition during economic challenges.

The Punjab government had initially remained silent on the matter before later linking the aircraft to a proposed airline project.

Public Debate Intensifies on Transparency

The Public Information Commission record shows that repeated delays occurred before the CM Office finally responded after warnings of possible legal consequences.

Interestingly, a similar situation took place in 2021 when details regarding former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar’s official vehicles were also withheld under the same legal clause — a move that had faced criticism from opposition leaders at the time.

The latest development has once again sparked debate across Pakistan, with many citizens discussing transparency, public accountability, and the use of taxpayer money by government offices.

Source:

Dawn News