Punjab Hired Helicopter Services for Rs. 16 Crore for 17 Days During 2025 Floods

The Punjab government contracted private helicopter services at a cost of Rs. 160.3 million to aid in rescue and relief operations during the 2025 floods, spanning a 17-day period from August 28 to September 13, 2025, according to official records. However, the financing department has questioned the procedural aspects of procuring and settling these services.

The department raised concerns about the initiation of the payment and regularization process eight months after the helicopters were deployed, along with the lack of independent verification of the flying hours cited on the bill. The Punjab Finance Department also expressed worries about the rates charged by the service provider, alleging that no independent assessment was conducted to validate their reasonableness or adherence to market rates.

Furthermore, the department noted that tax liabilities and other fiscal implications were not adequately addressed in the payment processing. The Punjab Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) confirmed that direct contracting is permissible during emergencies, but underlined that the procuring agency must adhere to specified legal guidelines, including conducting thorough market research prior to setting service rates.

The Finance Department has already allocated Rs. 72.23 billion for flood-related rescue, relief, and rehabilitation activities, yet the procurement and subsequent payment procedures for these helicopter services continue to raise questions. The Chief Secretary of Punjab clarified that the helicopters were acquired in response to emergency circumstances and that the provincial government bears the responsibility for payment.

The final Rs. 160.3 million payment will be addressed once the issues surrounding the delayed regularization, the verification of flying hours, market-based evaluation of rates, and applicable tax obligations are thoroughly investigated.