The government of Punjab is receiving immense criticism on social media following the apparent acquisition of a high-end Gulfstream business jet after an official job advertisement seeking a pilot specifically trained on the aircraft emerged.
The X accounts dealing with the strategic affairs indicated that the provincial government has acquired a 2019-manufactured Gulfstream G8G500, a long-range luxury aircraft typically used by heads of the states and corporate executives. The jet, bearing manufacturer’s serial number 72022 and precisely registered in the United States as N144S, has been observed operating VIP flights for Punjab in recent days.
Government of Punjab Gulfstream G500 aircraft, callsign PUNJAB2, flying from Rawalpindi to Lahore, currently climbing through 15,000 feet at 370 knots: pic.twitter.com/7TjQhop9qu
— The STRATCOM Bureau (@OSPSF) February 18, 2026
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پنجاب گورنمنٹ نے کوئی جہاز خریدا ہے ؟ خریدا ہے تو اسکی مالیت کتنی ہے ؟
وزیراطلاعات پنجاب عظمی بخاری سے سوال pic.twitter.com/CAMCwOgcBh
— Umar Daraz Gondal (@umardarazgondal) February 18, 2026
A post by the account Stratcom Bureau on X on Monday said that the government of Punjab had acquired the aircraft for the VIP transport. Also, a job vacancy appeared calling for the trained pilots to fly the jet. Aviation observers noted that the jet flew from Lahore to Sialkot on February 16 using the call sign Punjab 2, which is used when the Chief Minister is on board.
According to the media reports, the estimated value of the aircraft lands between $38 million and $42 million, converting to Rs 11 billion, depending on configuration and maintenance status. Neither the provincial government nor the services and general administration department has issued a formal notice regarding the purchase of the jet, its financing or the approval process.
A Punjab govt spokesperson has claimed that the luxury private Gulfstream Business Jet it has purchased and which is already being used for VIP travel is in fact for Air Punjab.
Says Ghalib:
ترے وعدے پر جیے ہم تو یہ جان جھوٹ جانا
کہ خوشی سے مر نہ جاتے اگر اعتبار ہوتا— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) February 18, 2026
The job post offers a one-year extendable contract and requires an air transport pilot license 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. Former Finance Minister and ex-PMLN member criticised the alleged purchase of a luxury jet by the Punjab government, linking it to the recent rise in fuel prices, in a post on X.
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
Muhammad Zubair, also another ex-PMLN member, also commented on the issue, describing the aircraft as a beautiful plane worth more than 1,000 crore, that has allegedly been acquired by the Punjab government for the use of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and other party members.
Meanwhile, when asked by the Information Minister of Punjab, Uzma Bukhari, regarding the purchase, she gave an unsatisfactory answer and said that the plane has been brought, apparently for the upcoming Air Punjab, a new airline initiative set to be introduced by the Punjab government for the province.
