In a startling revelation, leading Pakistani politicians, retired generals, bureaucrats, businessmen, bankers, and money launderers have been implicated in the most recent property leaks, which divulge information about individuals who possess residential properties in affluent districts of Dubai. The staggering collective appraisal of these properties amounts to $12.5 billion. ‘Dubai Unlocked,’ an investigative initiative involving over 70 media organizations worldwide, has unveiled the ownership of numerous properties belonging to influential figures globally in Dubai. The data covers property records from 2020 to 2022.
Among the estimated 17,000 Pakistanis listed in the leaks as owing 23,000 properties in Dubai are President Asif Ali Zardari’s three children, two of whom are members of the National Assembly, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s son Hussein Nawaz, former PM Shaukat Aziz, Home (interior) Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s wife, and several national and provincial lawmakers.
The Pakistani list also features the late former Military Ruler Pervez Musharraf, ex-Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa’s son and more than a dozen retired army generals as well as a Police Chief, an ambassador and a scientist, all of whom owned properties either directly or through their spouses and children.
Pakistan is grappling with a severe economic crisis of monumental proportions. Amid frantic efforts to secure bailouts and financial assistance, the country’s politicians and military leaders appear far from financially strapped. While owning property in Dubai is not unlawful, it sheds light on the genuine state of affairs in Pakistan; while the impoverished endure the brunt of skyrocketing inflation, the affluent revel in luxury living with opulent apartments.
The investigation uncovers Dubai’s emergence as the premier destination for the ultra-wealthy. Data exposes how Dubai, with its lax regulations, has transformed its glamorous real estate market into a haven for a diverse array of global elites: suspected criminals, fugitives, political figures, and sanctioned individuals aiming to conceal their wealth overseas. Shockingly, a substantial number of Dubai property owners are identified as arms dealers and drug kingpins.
The Pakistani newspaper The Dawn, who is a partner in the report, revealed that the properties owned by Pakistanis range from studio apartments to entire buildings to even huge villas. It further said that some of the properties are located in Dubai’s most expensive areas, such as Dubai Marina, Emirates Hills, Business Bay, Palm Jumeirah and Al Barsha.
According to the The Dawn, Major General Ehtasham Zameer (retired), who served as Director General (Counter intelligence) in Musharraf’s era and his son are listed as owners of properties in the Dubai upscale locality. Ex DG military land, Maj Gen Syed Najamul Hassan Shah (retired), is also listed as the owner of an off-plan property in Al Saqran Tower. Former Air Vice Marshal Saleem Tariq also appears to own property as does Air Vice Marshal Khalid Masood Rajput (retired).
After the disclosures, certain Pakistani politicians responded, asserting that their actions were aboveboard and that properties registered under their names had already been disclosed. For instance, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s spokesperson, Zulfikar Ali Bader, stated that the former foreign minister and Aseefa had previously declared all their domestic and foreign properties to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif similarly brushed off the leaks, stating that all individuals mentioned were already recognized as having properties overseas.
Team BharatShakti
