Govt questions use of chopper by Imran

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

LAHORE: The Punjab government has asked PTI Chairman Imran Khan to tell the people under which privilege he is using the helicopter of the KP government.

“The helicopter is used for public welfare. Imran Khan should tell the people under which privilege he is using the KP government helicopter,” Punjab government spokesman Malik Ahmed Khan told a news conference here.

Read: Will no longer travel with protocol, says Imran Khan

He said the Punjab government had purchased a helicopter at a cost of Rs1.5bn but it was not for Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. “Helicopter is used during emergency situations,” he said.

To a question the spokesman said Dr Taqueer Shah had returned to the country but he was not given any office. Shah had left abroad after the Model Town incident in which 14 Pakistan Awami Tahreek workers were killed.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2017

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Tamza

May 15, 2017 08:37am

IF it is official business it is ok. By the way under what privilege does the entire unSharif family travel overseas, and even go for umrah so often. These guys look like something is stuck and may need some procedures to clear passage.

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Zee

May 15, 2017 08:37am

very fair question and Imran should answer.

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ejaz

May 15, 2017 08:41am

I bet it cost less to travel by helicopter than motorcade. On TV I noticed there are usually 15 to 20 cars in caravan with more than 50 police personnel plus lots of inconvenience for the public when they block the roads.

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saeeds

May 15, 2017 09:11am

@ejaz I agree traveling in helicopter is better, but I hope you kept same opinion for other officials .

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Adnan anwar

May 15, 2017 09:12am

Shahbaz Sharif uses the Punjab govt helicopter for personal use all the time.......What PML-N is trying to say...They are angels???? Yeah right!!!!

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F Khan

May 15, 2017 09:14am

Please do not ask any question from IK only he has the right and privilege to ask questions.

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MSAlvi

May 15, 2017 09:15am

It's a silly question. What right government of Punjab has to question Imran for using KP Government's helicopter? If Imran is misusing the helicopter of KP Government, the federal government should ask him to answer the government, not that he should answer people. Pakistan government is full of stupid people.

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SHehri babu

May 15, 2017 09:34am

@ejaz Two wrongs don''t make one right, period.

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M Jamal

May 15, 2017 09:48am

National looters of the ast 40 years since they were inducted in politics in Zia's era are now questioning those who are against corruption.What a tragedy for our country.The nation must get rid of corruption without any further loss of time.

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Farjee

May 15, 2017 09:52am

Spokesman needs a ministerial post. It seems he has not seen his own backyard.

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Pakistani

May 15, 2017 10:02am

IK using the helicopter under the same privilege which allows Bilawal Bhutto and Maryam Nawaz to ruthlessly spend tax payers money.

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Abdul rauf

May 15, 2017 10:02am

No one in the government should misuse public funds, agreed in principle.

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wali

May 15, 2017 10:07am

If i become PM of Pakistan, i will issue order to all the parliamentarian to ride on the bicycles

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nasir

May 15, 2017 10:16am

@Pakistani which is again wrong, two wrongs doesn't justify third wrong

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imran

May 15, 2017 10:22am

@Tamza No. It is not OK because Imran does not hold any public office in the KPK government and two wrongs do not make a right.

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Hussain684

May 15, 2017 10:27am

At least he is a member of assembly. How about Mariam Safdar who is using powers of a PM and heading so many government institutions, issuing tweets and statements on behalf of foreign ministry and so on.

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AHMED

May 15, 2017 10:29am

so surprised to see the responses of PTI supporters to say its the same as shahbaz shareef using the government helicopter so Imran is using the helicopter. shahbaz shareef is the chief minister of Punjab Imran has no official post in KPK why he uses KPK helicopter only chief minister of KPK can.

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ILYAS KHAN

May 15, 2017 10:32am

I am sure he would have paid for this if he used it. You can agree or disagree with IK views, but one thing is clear, this guy is not corrupt. I am from KPK and have still to to find one single example where IK have taken advantage of his position to make money. He could do the same as Sharif have done, who would have stopped him...but is not that type of a person...

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The end is near

May 15, 2017 10:32am

Nawaz shareef takes the whole PIA Jumbo Jet for family trips and his medical treatment to Great London.

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Sameer

May 15, 2017 10:46am

Imran should clear this up. Though its also worth mentioning there are videos of Imran driving his car through floods as well. But Punjab cannot blame...not just the CM but his family has been using the state choppers for the past 9 years now. How do you think they travel in and out from 25,500 kanal raiwind palace.

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Mian M Amin(Old Ravian)

May 15, 2017 11:03am

Yes , Mr I K you are misusing public assets for your party,s promotion campaigns!

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Raghu

May 15, 2017 11:18am

All the people who are commenting here. May it be pro Imran or Anti Imran. It is right to say that no one can use the public property. But if Imran Khan is paying the bill for the helicopter trip then I think it is ok. Because the money will go to the KPK government's budget. Same as they did with Government rest houses. They put them up for rent. To get income of the people of KPK. Lets see what reply IK gives here.

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saeed

May 15, 2017 11:24am

IK believes he should enjoy all fair/unfair privileges but has jalsaas for ones others enjoy

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PAK-OZ

May 15, 2017 11:29am

IK is turning into real politician like NZ and AAZ. he wont change anyhting. infact no one can change anyhting in pakistan except GOD.

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Ahmad R. Shahid

May 15, 2017 11:29am

@ILYAS KHAN PTI supporters act like blind followers. They "believe" that IK is not corrupt. Apparently, the facts do not corroborate with their "beliefs". From the illegals 300 kanal property in Bani Gala, as was recently identified by the CDA, to the use of public funds for SKMH invested in off shore companies, to the use of foreign funds for his party, what makes IK "not-corrupt" is beyond sensible talk.

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NARADA MUNI

May 15, 2017 11:42am

What happened to all the expensive Mercedes and BMW cars bought for SAARC which did not take place. Who is using those cars now????

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NARADA MUNI

May 15, 2017 11:44am

@Abdul rauf : No one in the government should misuse public funds.. What public funds?. Pakistan does not have any funds. It is almost bankrupt..

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Mansoor ali khan

May 15, 2017 11:48am

Pot calling the kettle black. Though I do believe people should be held accountable for wasting public money. Please do check below links where special plane was sent to London to bring back PM and his entourage: PIA sends special plane to bring back PM from London https://www.dawn.com/news/1269679 Dedicated PIA aircraft to carry PM, camp office back to Pakistan https://www.dawn.com/news/1269499

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harris

May 15, 2017 11:50am

It's just shocking when I hear the Sharif's asking this question....

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Zee

May 15, 2017 11:55am

@Pakistani so no difference between imran, Zardari and Sharif, ok.

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Haroon Ashraf

May 15, 2017 11:55am

Look who is talking????

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Tango Tango

May 15, 2017 12:02pm

What did the big chimney say to the small chimney, " You are too young to smoke!" Please don't compare one wrong with another. A wrong is a wrong. Who pays for this activity should be cleared up, and the matter put to rest.

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F Khan

May 15, 2017 02:18pm

IK holds no public office but NS and SS hold public office and hence are entitled to use government facility.Not only NS & SS but their families can also use the same.

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Shareer

May 15, 2017 05:33pm

Imran khan must have used for public benefit I am sure. Sharif family does not eat meals from their own money. Public money is used for their lavish life style.

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G Nabi

May 16, 2017 08:33am

@Farjee Spokesman is an employee when so called Sharifs come in power then it'svery difficult for employees to save their respect and the service so they are compelled to obey their every nonsense orders....

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