- Punjab to file suit under Defamation Act, 2024.
- Punjab government denies acquisition of aircraft solely for CM’s use.
- Misinformation will no longer go unanswered: Marriyum.
The Punjab government has decided to take legal action against individuals and platforms spreading what it termed false allegations regarding the use of the provincial government’s official aircraft, state minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Sunday.
Speaking to
She said the provincial government had decided to approach the courts under the Defamation Act, 2024 against any person and platform involved in spreading the alleged misinformation.
“Disinformation will no longer go unanswered. Those who believe they can slander institutions and mislead the public without consequence should prepare to face the law,” she said.
She further said that the Punjab government would seek the maximum punishment under the law to send a clear message that “fake news is not journalism but defamation”.
His remarks came amid political controversy surrounding the Punjab government’s purchase of a Gulfstream business jet, estimated to be worth around Rs 10 billion.
The acquisition drew criticism from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which claimed the aircraft was for the exclusive personal use of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
However, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari had earlier dismissed the claims, saying the provincial government was planning to develop a fleet under the proposed ‘Air Punjab’ initiative.
According to Bokhari, some planes would be purchased while others would be leased, with the Gulfstream jet part of a larger plan.
Aviation sources said the Punjab government had acquired a Gulfstream G500 aircraft with US registration number N144S at an estimated cost of around Rs 10 billion. News reported.
Flight tracking data shows that the seven-year-old plane arrived in Lahore on December 28 after traveling from Bangor in North America to the Egyptian city of Hurghada before landing at Allama Iqbal International Airport.
The plane remained parked at the Lahore airport for around 40 days, during which time it reportedly underwent interior renovation and decoration, sources said.
The jet made its first domestic flight on February 6 from Lahore to Multan and has since operated several flights under the call sign ‘PUNJAB2’ to destinations including Quetta, Mianwali, Sialkot and Rawalpindi.
