LAHORE: A Punjab Assembly opposition member has sought an urgent debate over the alleged use of a PunjabgovernmentaircraftforChiefMinisterMaryam Nawaz’s private London trip, claiming that around Rs12.5 million were spent from the public exchequer on fuel, parking and other related expenses.
The adjournment motion was submitted by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf MPA Waqas Mahmood Maan, who asked the house to take up the matter for discussion.
According to the motion, media reports said Ms Maryam travelled to London to attend her daughter’s graduation ceremony and allegedly used the provincial government’s official aircraft.
The motion said that if the reports were correct, the matter involved the alleged personal use of public resources, possible misuse of authority, financial discipline and protection of the public exchequer.
Mr Mann said the issue had assumed greater importance at a time when people in Punjab were facing inflation, unemployment and problems relating to basic services, while recent Class IX examination results had also raised serious questions about the performance of the provincial education system.
He sought clarification from the government on the nature of the trip, the legal and administrative authority under which the official aircraft was used, and the head under which the expenses were charged. He also asked whether the expenditure from the public exchequer had received the required legal and financial approval.
The lawmaker requested the Speaker to admit his adjournment motion and allow a debate in the house so that the facts surrounding the alleged expenditure could be placed before the assembly.