Punjab Finance Department has raised objections over a Rs160.3 million bill for helicopter services hired during the flood rescue and relief operations in 2025, questioning the delayed payment process, unverified flying records, and unassessed service rates.
According to official documents, the helicopters were hired from private firm M/s Askari Aviation (Private) Limited for 17 days, from August 28 to September 13, 2025, to support emergency flood response across the province.
The Finance Department has questioned why the payment and regularization process began eight months after the services were provided, noting that no explanation for the delay exists in the available record.
The department has also flagged the absence of independent verification for the flying hours of helicopter, stating that no confirmation exists to validate the actual hours billed to the government.
It further noted that no independent assessment was carried out to determine whether the rates charged by the company were reasonable or aligned with market standards. Possible tax liabilities tied to the payment were also not properly addressed during processing, the department said.
The Punjab Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has clarified that direct contracting is permissible during emergencies, provided the relevant legal provisions are identified and followed. PPRA also stressed that procuring agencies must conduct market research before finalizing rates for such services.
Documents show that the Finance Department had already released Rs72.23 billion for flood-related rescue, relief and rehabilitation work, raising further questions over the procedure followed in hiring and later regularizing the helicopter services despite available funds.
The Punjab Chief Secretary maintains that the helicopters were hired under emergency conditions and that the provincial government is responsible for the payment.
The Finance Department is now reviewing the delayed regularization, flight record verification, rate assessment, and tax obligations before clearing the Rs160.3 million payment.
