The alleged acquisition of a high-end Gulfstream business jet, the Gulfstream G500 by the Punjab government has attracted attention following the emergence of an official job advertisement seeking a pilot specifically trained on the aircraft.
It offers rare confirmation of a significant purchase that authorities have not publicly acknowledged.
Open-source aviation tracking and insights from strategic affairs observers suggest that the provincial government has obtained a 2019-manufactured Gulfstream GVII-G500, a long-range luxury aircraft typically utilized by heads of state and corporate executives.
The jet, with manufacturer serial number 72022 and previously registered in the United States as N144S, has been noted operating VIP flights for Punjab in recent days.
A post by the STRATCOM Bureau on X on Monday indicated that the Government of the Punjab had acquired the aircraft for VIP transport.
Another post stated that the aircraft was seen flying from Rawalpindi to Lahore.
Aviation observers have also pointed out that the jet flew from Lahore to Sialkot on February 16 using the call sign “Punjab 2,” which is conventionally employed when the Chief Minister is aboard.
Luxury aircraft Gulfstream G500
Industry estimates place the Gulfstream G500’s market value between $38 million and $42 million (over Rs11 billion), depending on its configuration and maintenance status.
Neither the provincial government nor the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) has made a formal announcement regarding the purchase, its financing, or the approval process.
Nonetheless, an official government advertisement has provided indirect yet compelling confirmation.
Earlier in November 2025, S&GAD posted a BS-19 pilot position for the Punjab VIP Flight, explicitly stating that preference would be given to candidates type-rated on Hawker 400XP or Gulfstream G500 aircraft.
Aviation experts state that such specificity is unusual unless the aircraft is already operational or about to be inducted.
