List includes political figures, former military officials, bankers and bureaucrats who own high-end properties in Dubai
The latest leaks have revealed the involvement of several prominent Pakistanis in owning properties across upscale areas of Dubai. Among those named are political figures, former military officials, bankers, and bureaucrats. The combined value of these properties is estimated to be around $11 billion.
The data, unveiled through the OCCRP’s Dubai Unlocked project, offers a comprehensive overview of hundreds of thousands of properties in Dubai and their ownership details. However, properties held under company names or situated in commercial areas are excluded from this analysis.
The information was obtained by the Centre for Advanced Defence Studies (C4ADS) and shared with various media outlets globally, including Norwegian financial outlet E24 and OCCRP. This collaborative investigative effort involved reporters from 74 media outlets across 58 countries. Notable Pakistani partners in this endeavor were The News and Dawn.
Among the Pakistani individuals listed in the leaks are President Asif Ali Zardari’s children, Hussain Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s spouse, Sharjeel Memon and their relatives, Senator Faisal Vawda, Farah Gogi, Sher Afzal Marwat, along with several members of the Sindh and Balochistan assemblies.
Additionally, the list includes late Gen Pervez Musharraf, former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, more than a dozen retired generals, a police chief, an ambassador, and a scientist, all of whom either directly owned properties or through their families.
The leaks also shed light on transactions involving foreign properties, such as Zardari’s receipt of a property gift in 2014 and subsequent transfer. Notably, Chief Financial Officer of Omni Group Aslam Masood and his spouse are listed as property owners.
Moreover, individuals like Sohrab Dinshaw and members of the Altaf Khanani network, sanctioned by the US for money laundering, are identified as property owners in Dubai. Another notable figure is Hamid Mukhtar Shah, a physician sanctioned for involvement in illegal activities, who also owns multiple properties.
The leaks raise questions about transparency and disclosure, as seen in cases like Naqvi’s wife owning a villa in Dubai, not declared in his Senate election nomination papers.
It’s important to note that property ownership outside Pakistan isn’t inherently illegal, and Dubai’s allure as a global hub attracts diverse investors. However, the leaks highlight the need for transparency and accountability in financial dealings. Dubai, despite its progressive vision and economic dynamism, faces challenges like any global city, emphasizing the ongoing pursuit of integrity and fairness in governance.
