LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to place its Gulfstream G-500 aircraft under the operational supervision and maintenance of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) after facing difficulties in managing the jet’s specialised aviation requirements.
The provincial cabinet has approved a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the PAF to establish a formal arrangement for operating and maintaining the aircraft.
According to official documents cited by Dunya News, the provincial government’s VIP Flight Wing did not have sufficient technical expertise, trained personnel, and infrastructure to independently handle the aircraft’s advanced systems.
Under the proposed agreement, the Pakistan Air Force will provide operational support and take responsibility for the jet’s maintenance.
The decision followed an assessment of the technical requirements associated with the Gulfstream G-500. Authorities concluded that managing the aircraft required specialised aviation knowledge and facilities that were not sufficiently available within the provincial flight department.
The arrangement is expected to improve maintenance standards and ensure safer flight operations. It will also help the provincial government maintain the aircraft’s readiness for official assignments.
According to the documents, three serving Pakistan Air Force pilots have also been deputed to the Punjab government to assist with flight operations. They are working alongside the province’s existing pilots to manage the aircraft’s flying requirements.
The documents further state that the jet should remain available for official duties whenever required. The arrangement includes provisions for maintaining its operational readiness around the clock.
Changes have also been made to the aircraft’s registration status. The Gulfstream G-500 has been deregistered with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), while the Pakistan Air Force has allocated a new tail number to the aircraft. However, the official documents do not reveal the assigned number.
The provincial cabinet has also approved the draft agreement covering technical assistance, maintenance duties, aircraft operations, and financial arrangements between the two sides.
The Additional Secretary Welfare of the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) has been authorised to sign the MoU on behalf of the Punjab government.
The agreement is expected to provide a clear framework for cooperation between the provincial administration and the Pakistan Air Force, particularly regarding the aircraft’s operational management and technical upkeep.
However, the available documents do not disclose the estimated maintenance expenditure or explain the precise financial responsibilities of each party.
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The latest approval changes the management structure of Punjab’s Gulfstream G-500, with the Pakistan Air Force set to provide the specialised aviation support needed to operate and maintain the aircraft.
