The Punjab government has decided to take legal action against individuals and platforms accused of spreading false information about the use of the provincial government’s official aircraft.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said a “deliberate and malicious campaign of lies and fabricated stories” was being spread online regarding the aircraft. She claimed certain individuals were trying to mislead the public with fake information.

In a statement shared on social media, Aurangzeb said the government would approach courts under the Defamation Law 2024 against anyone involved in spreading such claims.

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She warned that the government would not remain silent against misinformation. According to her, “Disinformation will no longer go unanswered. Those who think they can malign institutions and mislead the public without consequence should prepare to face the law.”

A deliberate malicious campaign of lies and fabricated stories about the use of the official plane of Punjab Government is being run by known pathological liars and peddlers of fake news. The Punjab Government has decided to move the courts under the Defamation Law 2024 against…

— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) March 15, 2026

The minister added that authorities would request the maximum penalty under the law to send a strong message that “fake news is not journalism but defamation.”

The controversy started after reports about the Punjab government purchasing a luxury Gulfstream jet estimated to cost around Rs10 billion.

Opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf criticised the move and alleged that the aircraft was meant for the personal use of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

However, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari rejected the accusations earlier. She said the aircraft was part of a broader plan to create a provincial aviation project called “Air Punjab”.

According to Bokhari, the government plans to develop a fleet of aircraft under this initiative. Some planes may be purchased while others could be leased for official purposes.

Aviation sources said the aircraft involved is a Gulfstream G500 business jet with the American registration number N144S.

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Flight tracking records show that the jet arrived in Lahore on December 28 after travelling from Bangor in North America to Hurghada in Egypt before landing at Allama Iqbal International Airport.

Sources added that the aircraft remained parked at Lahore airport for about 40 days. During this period, its interior was reportedly refurbished and decorated.

The jet later carried out its first domestic flight on February 6 from Lahore to Multan. Since then, it has made several flights using the call sign “PUNJAB2” to cities including Quetta, Mianwali, Sialkot, and Rawalpindi.