Punjab to Take Legal Action Against ‘Malicious Campaign’ Over Jet Purchase

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb issued her response on Sunday regarding a controversial decision made last month: the purchase of a luxury Gulfstream 19-seater aircraft, estimated to cost between $38 million and $42 million (over Rs10 billion). The chief minister, Maryam Nawaz, faced severe criticism from both the opposition and some journalists for this expenditure.

In response to these harsh criticisms, Aurangzeb took to social media platforms, stating that her government would take legal action against anyone involved in a “malicious campaign” targeting the provincial government over the acquisition of the aircraft. She highlighted that under Pakistan’s Defamation Law 2024, every individual and platform partaking in this campaign will be held accountable.

“We have made it clear,” Aurangzeb asserted, “that disinformation won’t go unanswered. Those who dare to malign institutions or mislead the public with lies are now prepared to face legal consequences.”

The minister stressed that fake news was not real journalism but rather a form of defamation. She insisted, “Pathological liars will no longer be tolerated; enough is enough.” The provincial government plans to seek recourse for the maximum penalties under the law to send a clear and unequivocal message.

It’s worth noting Aurangzeb has previously accused PTI activists and others of running a vilification campaign against Maryam Nawaz over this decision.

The opposition, led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), maintained that spending billions on a VIP aircraft was unjustifiable when many in the population lived below the poverty line. Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman criticized the provincial government for celebrating the sale of PIA while purchasing a luxurious aircraft for elite travel.

Punjab’s administration initially remained tight-lipped about the acquisition but later justified it as part of a proposed airline project. When questions arose about the lack of a roadmap, they clarified that the old plane used by Nawaz was outdated and needed to be replaced with a “safe new jet.”