'Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Does Not Take Salary Or Spend Public Money On Herself'
Faizan Hashmi | 11 September, 2026 | 03:00 PM
If a chief minister pays for the Chief Minister’s House expenses from her own pocket, there should be no issue if she uses an official aircraft, says Huzaifa Rehman.
LAHORE: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Minister of State Huzaifa Rehman rejected criticism of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s use of an official aircraft, stating that there shouldn't be any objection if the chief minister avails of one.
Rehman clarified that Maryam Nawaz does not draw a salary or receive TA/DA and has not incurred a single official expense on herself during the past two and a half years. He further added that she also pays for the expenses of the Chief Minister’s House from her personal funds.
The minister of state revealed that the Punjab government had acquired one or two aircraft for the first time for the special 1122 service to enhance public healthcare access. Regarding the number of aircraft in the Punjab government's fleet, Rehman said he lacked comprehensive details but speculated that they might have replaced old ones or purchased new ones.
According to Rehman, security, staff, and other facilities during the visits of the chief minister or prime minister are inherent privileges of the office. He argued that if Maryam Nawaz utilized the official aircraft solely for travel purposes, there was nothing amiss in it.
Rehman termed criticism of Maryam Nawaz over her use of the official aircraft, while not drawing a salary and not incurring official expenses, as mere propaganda.