PTI slams Punjab government for acquiring Rs11bn jet for CM

Punjab – (Web Desk) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram has sharply criticized the Punjab government over reports that it acquired a luxury Gulfstream business jet worth $38-42 million (around Rs11 billion), allegedly intended solely for the chief minister’s personal use.

Reacting to the viral reports on social media, Waqas highlighted what he called the “blatant hypocrisy” of such extravagant spending, especially at a time when the government publicly promotes austerity while the nation faces soaring inflation, record unemployment, and a struggling economy.

He questioned how the government could justify purchasing a high-end VIP jet when nearly 45% of Pakistanis live below the poverty line, unable to afford basic necessities, and the country relies heavily on foreign loans and massive borrowing.

Sheikh Waqas warned that such reckless expenditures demonstrate a disconnect from the public’s hardships and a disregard for citizens’ struggles. He stressed that people will not tolerate the misuse of public funds for personal luxury and vowed that those responsible would be held fully accountable.

Meanwhile, Waqas expressed profound concern over the growing public anxiety regarding the health of former prime minister Imran Khan, demanding that his personal physicians be granted immediate and unrestricted access to conduct all necessary medical examinations without any further delay.

In a statement issued by the PTI Central Media Department, he said that the matter concerning the party’s founder is not merely political, but a test of national trust, human rights and governmental responsibility.

Sheikh Waqas emphasised that any ambiguity surrounding the health of a leader who commands the confidence of millions is unacceptable, adding that the government’s silence and lack of clarity have only intensified public unease rather than alleviating it.

“Imran Khan is a former prime minister of Pakistan and the voice of millions, not only within the country but across the world, and any uncertainty regarding his health and safety is intolerable,” he added.

He emphasised that if the government has nothing to conceal, there is no justification for delaying full transparency. “We demand that his personal physicians be granted immediate and unrestricted access to conduct all necessary medical examinations, including blood tests and any other required diagnostic procedures,” he demanded.

Sheikh Waqas added that if any scans or specialised evaluations are required, he must be allowed to be taken to a hospital or diagnostic centre of his choice, as it is the government’s responsibility to provide the nation with clear, verified and unambiguous medical facts.

US thanks Pakistan for backing Trump Gaza plan

A significant amount of time, he noted, has already been lost amid concerns over Imran Khan’s health. The party concluded that no further delay will be acceptable, he warned.