Television anchor Muhammad Malick has questioned the use of public funds for private foreign visits, claiming that the fuel and parking costs of the aircraft used by Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab Minister Maryam Nawaz and President Asif Ali Zardari could run into millions of rupees.
Speaking on his show, Malick said that the aircraft used by Maryam Nawaz for her London trip incurred Rs3.5 million in parking charges for three days, while its fuel cost came to around Rs7.8 million.
Malick said that Maryam travelled to London to attend her daughter’s graduation ceremony and used the Punjab government’s aircraft for the trip.
“Nearly 3.5 million (35 lakh) rupees is the parking fee for Maryam’s aircraft at Luton Airport for three days. As for the President’s aircraft, that comes out to around 5.4 million (54 lakh) rupees.”
He added that the fuel cost of the Beechcraft aircraft, calculated according to its manual, came to around Rs7.8 million.
“If we look solely at the fuel calculated for this Beechcraft flight according to its manual, it comes to around 7.8 million (78 lakh) rupees. This means that for Maryam’s trip to London on a private visit, around 1.25 crore rupees of public tax money was spent.”
Malick said that the Punjab government should clarify whether Maryam was paying the expenses from her own funds, particularly as the aircraft belonged to the provincial government.
“I hope and expect that she is paying for these expenses out of her own pocket. We expect the Punjab government to clarify this. Even if she goes a hundred times, the Punjab government bought the plane for 10 to 11 billion rupees, it will be used. The public shouldn’t have to cover the fuel costs for private visits. Let’s hope the Punjab government clarifies this.”
He also raised questions over the cost of President Zardari’s aircraft during his private visit to Britain.
“Similarly, it should be clarified regarding the President’s private visit: who is paying for this? The aircraft is official, but the visit is not an official one. Is the public bearing the expense for this as well?”
Zardari left Pakistan on August 27 for a private visit to Britain and spent more than a week in London before returning to Pakistan. Reports quoted sources that he also underwent medical check-ups during his stay. He did not hold formal political meetings or take part in political activities during the visit.
Malick said that the parking charges for the President’s aircraft came to around Rs5.4 million.
He questioned government spending at a time when Pakistanis are facing higher fuel prices and rising food costs.
“While we are crying over petrol prices, a major crisis in sugar and wheat is unfolding. As you have seen, flour prices keep rising. We need to talk about what the general public of Pakistan is enduring. You heard about petrol prices rising by 19 rupees in just two days. When you look at the cost of levies and taxes, everyone is distressed.”
He added that elected leaders should clarify whether taxpayers are covering the costs of private travel.
“Yet, our elected leaders continue their lavish habits; nothing changes. Right now, the President is on a private trip. He left on the 27th, went to Vienna, then to England, then London and his return is expected today. Maryam Nawaz went for her daughter’s graduation, a joyful occasion for any parent. But she also took a private government aircraft belonging to the Punjab government.”
