F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: The spokesman of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has officially issued the statement that the provincial government purchased MI 17 Helicopter in 2008 and ECUREUIL in 2010. Since 2013, the PTI led Government has not used these helicopters for any purpose other than official business of the Government.
Imran Khan, the Chairman PTI has never used any of the official helicopters and/or for his private or personal use, so the question of hiring Heli at Commercial rates does not arise. A Government Helicopter any way is never given for private use. Imran Khan accompanied the Ministers/Advisors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on their official tours on 39 number of occasions in last 4 ½ years.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa helicopters are maintained and operated by Askari Aviation limited, against fixed monthly charges, irrespective of the usage. In cases of usage fuel charges are paid by the Provincial Government to the Askari Aviation limited as billed by the same.
The trips mentioned in a section of the media were all official visits. In these 39 official trips in which Ministers/Advisors were accompanied by Imran Khan, the Heli was used for approximately 75 flying hours against fuel charges of approximately Rs. 2.1 millions in 4 ½ years. During these visits, he participated in different important official functions ranging from the ground breaking / inauguration of Billion Tree Tsunami project, establishment of Universities, to the opening of schools, colleges and sports facilities on the special invitation of the provincial projects. It is further clarified that Imran Khan has not used official helicopter for any political gatherings.
It is also important to mention that Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has used the Helicopter most economically. According to the requirements, for example the MI-17 helicopter can be used for 2000 hours in 09 years. While, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has used the Heli’s for 1300 hours, which translates into only 12 hours per month.
This can be compared to the usage of Helicopters and expenses incurred upon by other provinces and the Federal Government, whereby, figures would prove that usage of Helicopter by Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is much lower, though terrain of most of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa requires Heli usage.
Regular audit of the Expenses and usage of the Heli’s have been carried out by the Audit authorities, and the same was found in perfect order and cleared by the Audit.
Believing in transparent and responsible Governance, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa welcomes the NAB inquiry in to the usage of helicopters and assures its full cooperation and assistance to NAB in this regard. We also expect that NAB will extend its Inquiry to the usage of Heli’s and Fixed wing aircrafts by other provincial Governments as well as the Federal Government, and the nation be informed of the outcome of such inquiry.
