Punjab cabinet approves handing Gulfstream jet to Pakistan Air Force

The Punjab cabinet has approved handing the operational control and maintenance of the provincial government's Gulfstream G500 jet to the Pakistan Air Force, the provincial information minister describing the move as a routine administrative decision.

Aaj News reported that the cabinet approved the transfer along with proposals for the aircraft's de-registration with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and the allocation of an air force tail number. Documents cited by the outlet said the VIP flight wing's technical capacity was limited for handling the jet's complex systems, and that the aircraft needs specialist skills and trained crew.

According to those documents, the jet has already been de-registered with the civil aviation authority and the air force has allotted it its own tail number. Three serving PAF pilots have been deputed to the Punjab government and are flying the aircraft alongside the province's own pilots.

The documents said the air force has trained maintenance staff, technical expertise and the facilities the aircraft requires, which is why the VIP flight wing consulted on moving operational control and maintenance to it. They set safe flight, round-the-clock readiness and 24-hour availability as requirements.

The cabinet also approved a draft memorandum of understanding between the Punjab government and the air force covering maintenance, technical matters and financial arrangements. It authorised the additional secretary (welfare) in the Services and General Administration Department to sign the memorandum on the government's behalf.

The information minister said the arrangement was routine and noted that the air force already maintains the aircraft used by the prime minister and other senior officials, UrduPoint reported.