New VVIP jet acquired

Published November 30, 2007

ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: A new executive jet has been acquired for use by President Pervez Musharraf, raising the number of aircraft in the VVIP fleet to 14.

The 10-seater Learjet is one of the three planes whose procurement was approved by former prime minister Shaukat Aziz.

“American pilots, who brought the jet here a few days ago, have started training their Pakistani counterparts,” a source said, adding that the training would take two months.

The country’s VVIP fleet includes G-IV, Cessna Citation V, Cessna Citation Excel, Learjet 35, Learjet 45 XR, Raytheon Hawker 400, Falcon 20, Cessna Conquest II, Bell 412 helicopters (3) and an MI-17 helicopter.

“Two other jets ordered may land here after the elections. These jets are for personal use of president and prime minister,” the source said.

He said the value of the new luxury jet was about $60million.

On March 15 this year, Mr Aziz had flown to Uzbekistan in a VVIP plane gifted by Qatar in February. The Airbus-310 aircraft was given official livery and it underwent engineering checks at PIA facilities in Karachi.

Opinion

Respite needed

Respite needed

All one can fear is a familiar accounting exercise that aims to extract a few more rupees from a narrow, weary economic base.

Editorial

Soft on traders
08 Jun, 2026

Soft on traders

THE Fixed Tax Asaan Scheme for traders with an annual turnover of up to Rs200m has been designed as a ‘pragmatic...
Ceasefire in name
Updated 08 Jun, 2026

Ceasefire in name

Both sides accuse the other of violating the truce that was supposed to halt the conflict in April, yet neither appears willing to abandon negotiations altogether.
Damaged childhoods
08 Jun, 2026

Damaged childhoods

CHILD abuse is so prevalent that the UN ranked Pakistan as the least safe country for children. Even so, more than...
JAAC ban
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

JAAC ban

Though the JAAC’s demands are open to scrutiny, banning any political organisation — as long as it remains committed to peaceful activism — is undemocratic.
GB election
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

GB election

It is important that whichever party ultimately forms the government puts the needs of the people of GB above everything else.
ODI win
07 Jun, 2026

ODI win

AT last, the Pakistan cricket team had something to celebrate: a One-day International series victory against...