A spokesman for Punjab government, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, has categorically denied the news item published in appeared print and electronic media regarding a news item, alleging therein that a new Mercedes Benz car is being purchased for the chief minister. The spokesman said that there is neither any proposal nor any intention for purchase of luxury vehicle for chief minister.

He clarified the factual position that this vehicle is being purchased for protocol duties of the Government of Punjab keeping in view the high influx of head of the states, foreign dignitaries and officials, etc. Moreover, the spokesman addressed Press conference, newly purchased helicopter Mi-17i by the Government of Punjab is also a multipurpose machine which will be used as an Air Ambulance in emergency/disaster situations.

He said that this helicopter was inevitable to be purchased owing to destruction of its earlier helicopter in Afghanistan while enrooted to Russia for overhaul and in the absence of a helicopter; the Punjab Government has no alternative to meet emergencies and rescue requirements during floods and any other natural calamity/disaster that could arouse at any time. This helicopter is the cheapest one around the globe and many public sector organisations in Pakistan also purchased the same machine, he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017