RAWALPINDI: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari announced that the provincial government has approved the launch of a new airline called Air Punjab, which will start operations within a year.
According to the details, the idea for Air Punjab came up in November 2024 after the federal government’s unsuccessful attempt to sell Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Bokhari said, “Pakistan will soon have its first provincial airline, Air Punjab.” She noted that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved the plan in a recent meeting. The airline is expected to begin services in eight to twelve months.
Bokhari shared that four aircraft will be leased to start Air Punjab. She explained that new airlines in Pakistan must operate domestic routes for a year before flying internationally, and Air Punjab will follow this rule.
The chief minister has also directed officials to complete the licensing and leasing processes. Bokhari mentioned that no one had previously considered launching a provincial airline.
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She also shared another development, delayed due to the recent Pahalgam attack. Bokhari announced plans for Pakistan’s first bullet train, which will run from Lahore to Rawalpindi in two hours and twenty minutes. The Punjab government will work with Pakistan Railways on this project.
Additionally, Chief Minister Maryam has asked for plans for high-speed trains on six other routes in Punjab, including Lahore to Shahdara and Narowal, Lahore to Raiwind and Kasur, Pakpattan to Lodhran, Sheikhupura to Shorkot, Shorkot to Sargodha via Jhang, and Lala Musa to Sargodha via Malakwal. Bokhari said the railway department in Punjab will be fully upgraded.
In November 2024, after a failed bid to privatize PIA, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government expressed interest in buying the airline. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif suggested that Punjab could either acquire PIA or start a new airline. However, the Punjab government clarified it would not participate in the bidding for PIA.
