Maryam says she paid Rs27.5m herself for govt plane used on London trip

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has defended using a government aircraft for a trip to London, saying she paid nearly Rs27.5 million from her own pocket for the flight taken to attend her daughter’s graduation.

Speaking at the inauguration of an electric bus service in Multan, Maryam responded to criticism surrounding her use of the Punjab government’s aircraft.

“There is a huge fuss about a Rs9 billion aeroplane. It is not mine, it belongs to the Chief Minister of Punjab,” she said.

The chief minister said her position required frequent travel across Punjab for official engagements, making air travel necessary in some cases.

“Today I have come to Multan, tomorrow I will go to Sargodha, the day after tomorrow I will go to Pindi, then I will go to Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, and Layyah — so what am I supposed to travel on?” she asked.

Maryam said aircraft facilities were available to the chief ministers of all four provinces. She added that she had previously used commercial flights or hired aircraft when required.

Turning to questions over her London journey for her daughter’s graduation, Maryam insisted that taxpayers did not bear the cost of the trip.

“I paid nearly 2.75 crore rupees from my own pocket — from my own pocket!” she said, adding that a copy of the payment receipt would also be made available.

The chief minister argued that her official responsibilities did not simply stop when she travelled for a personal engagement. Matters of government, she said, could still require her attention while she was away.

Maryam also said she was giving the explanation because she considered herself answerable to the people of Punjab.

“Today, standing in the court of the public, I am offering this clarification because, after Almighty Allah, I am accountable solely and exclusively to you — not to any vlogger, not to any media person, and not to any YouTuber,” she said.

She also hit back at her critics, claiming some of those targeting her were being paid in dollars. No evidence supporting that allegation was presented in the remarks cited.

“I am being criticised because I deliver [results],” Maryam said.

She maintained that criticism on social media would not affect her work, telling her detractors: “Keep criticising — it makes no difference to me.”