VIP’s of Poor Pakistan Fleet of Aircraft

(Dawn May 5 1995)

THE recent interview by the Chief of the Air Staff to an English-language daily has caused quite a stir. His talk about the gaping disparity between India and Pakistan in the field of hi-tech fighter air-craft has had different levels of reactions and up to a certain extent disappointed certain quarters. This should not dishearten our country-men, because we may be lacking in defense capabilities, but we are far ahead of the Indians in other field of aviation. It should give courage to our nation that we outnumber the Indians in VIP aircrafts which are far costlier and more sophisticated than anything the Indians have.

It is worth noting that democratic regimes starting with Ms Benazir Bhutto's first tenure as Prime Minister gave special attention to this area and most of these luxury aircrafts were purchased during her tenure. The Prime Minister's fleet consists of four VIP aircraft. These include an F-27 Fokker, a DA-20 Falcon, a Boeing 707 and a Boeing 737. These are in addition to many other PIA, PAF and army aircraft that are routinely used for VIP travel. The F-27 Fokker and DA-20 Falcon aircraft were purchased by the PAF for training purposes but are being used for VIP travel. The Boeing-707 has been loaned by PIA after renovation at a cost allegedly of $5 million. The Boeing-737 air-craft which is widely used by the Prime Minister at phenomenal operating cost was said to have been purchased by PIA for $30 million for VIP use and for which PIA, despite its financial crisis, is still said to be paying to Westminster Bank, London. Ms Benazir Bhutto wanted to buy a Boeing-747 Jumbo Jet for VIP use but this project was shelved by caretaker Prime Minister, Mr Meraj Khalid. Now the government is reportedly planning to buy a Boeing-777 at a cost of $160 million.

Although all provincial capitals are well connected by regular airline fights, still a fleet of most modern executive aircraft is maintained by different provincial heads. These aircraft are used to transport different provincial heads, their families and friends. The Punjab chief minister travels in a Beech-200 aircraft purchased during Mr. Wattoo's tenure at a cost of $12 million. This is in addition to a Cessna-441 that was previously used. The Balochistan Chief Minister travels in a Learjet purchased a few years ago reportedly for $15 million. The Sindh Chief Minister uses a Cessna-441 and the NWFP Chief Minister travels in a Cessna-421. WAPDA, despite its financial difficulties, is maintaining a Cesstia-441 and a Cessna-402 for its executives. The army chief mostly travels in a Citation jet although the army also maintains a fleet of VIP aircraft. The navy has converted one of its F-27 Fokker aircraft into a VIP aircraft. It is not only that these aircraft are very expensive but also their maintenance cost is phenomenal. Our leaders prefer to travel in these aircrafts instead of regular air-line fights because, apart from privacy, there is no official audit of these flights and friends and relatives of the VIPs can also take advantage of these free rides. Mr. Nawaz Sharif, after his re-election as Prime Minister had placed the revival of the economy as his first priority and in this connection had introduced various schemes. Numerous departments are being downsized and thousands of people have lost their jobs. But our leaders, on their part, have taken no steps to reduce their expenditure. They live in luxurious houses with battalions of servants, travel in expensive cars and aircraft and they spend lavishly. So when Air Chief Marshal Pervaiz Mehdi pleads for new fighter aircraft, he should remember that in a poor country like Pakistan, we can either finance our defense needs or the luxurious life-style of our leaders.

ASIF MAHMOOD

Islamabad