Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Ghulam Ali has faced backlash due to a widely circulated video showing him using a government-owned helicopter to visit Swat with his family and friends, including his grandsons.
This has sparked criticism, especially considering the governor’s prior criticism of others who had misused official helicopters.
In the video, Governor Ghulam Ali can be seen boarding the helicopter with his two grandsons, and the footage captures their visit to various places in the district.
Upon returning to Peshawar, the governor reportedly took a friend and his children in the chopper.
The governor’s justification for bringing his grandsons was that it coincided with a school holiday.
This incident is not isolated, as there have been past instances where former governors and chief ministers faced accusations of using official helicopters for personal trips, drawing fire from the public.
It’s noteworthy that Governor Ghulam Ali had criticized former Chief Minister Mahmood Khan for a similar practice. Expressing disapproval of using the official helicopter for personal purposes and even stating that he wouldn’t allow its landing in the Governor’s House.
Last year, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly passed legislation permitting the official use of helicopters or aircraft by the chief minister, minister, or public servants on behalf of the chief executive, with the expenses covered by the provincial government.
This move, however, faced strong criticism from the opposition, who alleged that the legislation was aimed at countering objections from the Election Commission of Pakistan regarding the use of helicopters in political campaigns.
Governor Ghulam Ali initially opposed this bill, stating his intention to send it back, but eventually gave his reluctant approval.
This entire episode has reignited debates about the appropriate use of government resources and the accountability of public officials.
