A number of social media users claimed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly had enacted special legislation allowing for the use of government aircraft by private individuals, but it wasn’t clear whether the information was legit until Geo Fact Check verified it.
Several Twitter users, on November 14, tweeted that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was implementing new regulations to permit Imran Khan, a former prime minister who is currently out of power, to continue using the official chopper.
It turns out that the rumours making the rounds on social media are true.
A bill to alter the 1975 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Privileges) Act has been drafted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.
The amended bill is named The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Privileges) (Second Amendment) Act 2022.
According to the proposed legislation, a new section will be added to the original law, which reads:
- The chief minister may allow a minister, advisor or special assistant to the chief minister, public servant or government servant to use an aircraft or helicopter of the government at government expense.
- Any official aircraft or helicopter, subject to availability and with prior approval of the chief minister, can be used for private purposes, on payment of charges at the rate determined by the government from time to time.
The bill, a copy of which is available at Geo Fact Check, also states that individuals who have been given permission by the chief minister to use an aircraft may bring along as many assistants, support workers, and other people.
