Azma Bokhari defends Punjab CM’s use of official jet for London trip

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s use of the provincial government’s jet during her recent private visit to London has triggered a fresh controversy, with opposition leaders questioning the use of an official aircraft for a family event.

CM Maryam travelled to London last week to attend the graduation ceremony of her daughter Mahnoor and returned to Lahore on Wednes­day. The government insists the CM bore all expenses of the trip.

Responding to criticism that the CM used the official jet for a private visit, Punjab Inf­ormation Minister Azma Bokhari rejected the allegation. “Absolutely incorrect. The Punjab chief minister paid all expenses for her London trip out of her own pocket,” she said in a post on X on Thursday.

During her stay in London, CM Maryam also faced questions about the debate over the creation of new provinces. However, she avoided gi­­ving a detailed response, saying she would speak on the issue after ret­ur­ning home and holding consultations.

Says Maryam Nawaz bore all expenses after opposition calls out use of govt resources for private visit

Asked about her earlier statement that Punjab was facing a threat of terrorism from its provincial borders, she said: “Punjab is facing a threat from incompetence.”

Opposition leaders, meanwhile, continued to target the chief minister over her use of the official aircraft. Former federal minister and PTI leader Moonis Elahi, in a post on X, linked the controversy to the rising cost of fuel.

The 2019-manufactured Gulf­stream G500, reportedly valued at around $38 million to $42m — more than Rs10 billion — has remained under scrutiny ever since reports emerged about its acquisition by the provincial government.

Mahnoor’s nikkah on Saturday

Meanwhile, CM Maryam Nawaz’s daughter Mahnoor is set to tie the knot on Saturday, with her nikkah ceremony scheduled to be held at the Sharif family’s residence in Jati Umra, a family source told Dawn on Thursday.

According to the source, Mah­noor’s marriage has been arranged with a member of a prominent business family. The ceremony is expec­ted to be a private family affair, with only close relatives and members of the extended family attending.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2026