Punjab Minister of Information, Azma Bokhari, said on Saturday that the provincial government had approved the launch of its own airline called Air Punjab and that it would begin its operations within a year.
The Punjab government had presented the idea of Air Punjab in November 2024 after the failed attempt of the federal government to sell the national transporter Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Going to a press conference at Lahore, Bokhari said: “Pakistan is ready to operate his first provincial airline, Air Punjab.
“The approval was given by [Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz] Sahiba In a meeting a few days ago, ”he added.
“This service would begin at a minimum of eight months and at most, one year.”
Sharing more details, the Information Minister said that four leases will be acquired immediately for Air Punjab.
By pointing out that airlines in Pakistan had to operate nationwide for a year before starting international routes, Bokhari said Air Punjab would be “ready to provide their services in a few months.”
The Punjab main minister ordered the completion of the licensing and lease procedures, according to Bokhari.
“No one had thought about launching their own provincial airline,” he added.
Bokhari said he wanted to share two “important” developments about Punjab with the public for many days, but the recent situation following Pahalgam’s attack had delayed it.
When announcing the second plan, he said, “Pakistan’s first bullet train, which will operate from Lahore to Rawalpindi, will take the [travellers there] in two hours and 20 minutes. “
The minister added that CM Maryam had also granted the approval of the bullet train.
The Punjab government would collaborate with the Pakistan railroads for the bullet train, Bokhari prepared.
“Prime minister Sahiba He has also sought a plan for a high -speed train for six other routes in Punjab, including LaHore to Shahdara and Nareowal; Lahore to Raiwind and Kasur; Pakpattan to Lodhran; Sheikhupura to Shorkot; Shorkot a Sargodha through Jhang; And Lala Musa A Sargodha through Malakwal, ”he explained.
“The railway department would be completely renewed in Punjab.”
Pakistan had been looking to download a 51-100 percent participation in the PIA full of the debt to raise funds and reform state companies, but a single offer of RS10 billion for a 60 percent participation, well below the minimum price of RS85bn, much below the RS85bn process, stagnated the privatization process.
Subsequently, on November 1, 2024, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s government governed by the opposition PTI said he was ready to buy the national flag carrier who makes losses.
A day later, the former prime minister and president of PML-N, Nawaz Sharif, declared that his daughter, CM Maryam, had sought his lawyer about whether the Punjab government should acquire the PIA or establish a new airline.
Nawaz had suggested that the airline could also be bought and renowned by the provincial government as Air Punjab.
However, the Punjab government had immediately clarified that “had no intentions” of being part of the highly publicized bidding process to acquire the PIA.
