Begging for loans, buying gulfstreams: The shocking math behind Pak Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz’s Rs 1,000 cr ‘VIP toy’ | SHOCKING Video | World News

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is at the center of the political storm after the US-registered Gulfstream G500 luxury jet quietly arrived in the state. The opposition criticized the purchase as an extravagant “VIP toy” in a struggling economy. However, the state government claims that the jet is the basis for a new state airline, Air Punjab.

The controversy began on February 16, after open source intelligence accounts flagged a 2019 Gulfstream GVII-G500 (Registration: N144S) flying from Lahore to Sialkot with the call sign ‘Punjab 2’. This call sign is usually reserved for the Prime Minister’s official trips.

10 billion rupees price tag

The 2019 Gulfstream G500 is worth between $38 million and $42 million, which is over 10 billion Pakistani rupees. Critics were quick to note the staggering costs:

PIA comparison: The price of this single jet is almost equal to the announced privatization price of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

automotive scale: The cost matches the price of more than 3,000 Suzuki Alto cars in the current Pakistani market.

Operating costs: Industry sources estimate that annual maintenance, fuel and crew expenses will add ₹80-86 crore to the state budget.

Maryam Nawaz, daughter of Pak Punjab CM and Nawaz Sharif, did not like the seats of Pak Air Force planes and ordered a new million-dollar plane for herself

I’m fighting for Atta and that’s what Pak leaders are doing pic.twitter.com/AhqMUIfikQ— Frontalforce (@FrontalForce) February 20, 2026

Air Punjab: A commercial venture or VIP protection?

To allay the backlash, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari stated that the plane was not a personal purchase. “A fleet is being built for Air Punjab; this aircraft is a link in that chain,” he said, referring to the state airline established in July 2025.

The government’s Air Punjab plan includes:

launch date: Commercial domestic operations are planned to begin in April 2026 with an initial fleet of seven aircraft.

VIP policy: Authorities claim that there will not be a separate plane for VIP use. When the CM travels via Air Punjab, the government will reportedly pay the full commercial fare.

fleet induction: CM’s existing helicopter will also be integrated into the airline’s operational assets.

CM Maryam Nawaz supported the initiative, saying it would reduce Punjab’s dependence on the federal government or the Pakistan Air Force for official travel.

Expert skepticism: ‘Not economically viable’

The government’s claim that it is a “commercial airline” has drawn harsh criticism from economic and aviation experts.

Former Federal Finance Minister Miftah Ismail objected to the reasoning on social media. He argued that no commercial airlines operate 10- to 16-seat business jets like the Gulfstream G500. “It’s not economically viable for airline operations,” he said. He suggested that the jet’s luxury features, which include customizable living quarters and ultra-long-range capabilities, appeal specifically to heads of state or corporate transportation, not public roads.

Political response amid debt crisis

The timing of this acquisition united opposition parties, including Imran Khan’s PTI and Jamaat-e-Islami, in condemning it. Former Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair questioned the ethics of spending in a country where nearly 45% of the population lives below the poverty line.

Punjab currently faces a debt burden exceeding ₹1.7 trillion. Critics argue that spending billions of dollars on a luxury jet while the public is struggling with inflation sends an inappropriate message to voters.

The real test of the government’s claim will come in April. Unless “Air Punjab” can launch with paying passengers, the Gulfstream G500 may remain a symbol of state excess.

READ ALSO | From Garbage to Tejas: How your retired devices can become the backbone of Indian aviation