New Debate Over Bill for Maryam Nawaz’s Official Aircraft Expenses
Sajid Ali | September 17, 2026
A fresh debate has ignited regarding bank documents related to a payment of Rs27,194,004 for the government's Gulfstream aircraft used during Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s private trip to London.
According to reports, the receipts indicate September 17, 2026 as the deposit date, while the bank clearance stamp is dated September 18, 2026. This discrepancy has drawn scrutiny, as State Bank of Pakistan directives and standard commercial banking practices generally require banks to affix the receipt stamp on the same day cash or a cheque is received.
Defenders argue that even if the clearance date falls on the subsequent day, the bank’s receiving stamp should reflect the current working day. Stamping a future date deviates from normal banking practice as it could impact accounting ledgers and cash floor balances. Even cheques deposited in the evening carry the same-day receipt date, with a note indicating "Subject to Realization for Next Day".
Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has defended the process, stating that when high-value cheques are deposited, banking systems automatically issue clearances for the following day, leading to the stamped date.