LAHORE: Interior Minister Senator Mohsin Naqvi addressed the media in Lahore on Thursday, responding robustly to his inclusion in the recent Dubai property leaks. Naqvi emphasised that all properties owned by him and his wife are fully declared with the relevant authorities, and detailed records have been provided to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Naqvi, who holds multiple key positions in the current government—including Minister for Narcotics Control, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, and senator—revealed that his wife has owned properties not only in Dubai but also in the United Kingdom for over a decade. He clarified that records of these properties have always been transparent and accessible through his submissions to the ECP.
Addressing the leaks at a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi reacted to the exposure of numerous Pakistani personalities in the Dubai property records, which include government officials, politicians, military generals, and other notable figures. He criticized the media for potentially misrepresenting the situation, suggesting that the reporting could wrongly imply illegal ownership or non-disclosure of properties.
The Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project’s (OCCRP) Dubai Unlocked project revealed property data of thousands of Pakistanis, including over a dozen retired military officials and their families, as well as bankers and bureaucrats, owning upscale properties in Dubai. Naqvi, a former caretaker chief minister of Punjab and a media mogul, reiterated that he was not a public office holder 10 to 12 years ago when he acquired these properties. He stressed that all his assets are on record and legally declared, countering any insinuation of undisclosed or illegally acquired wealth.
Critiquing the creators of the Dubai leaks, Naqvi stated, “An impression has been created that I own properties through unknown sources of income, but all my properties are on record and declared. I reserve the right to make investments domestically or internationally.” He condemned the portrayal of his lifetime earnings as illegitimate and challenged those who own illegitimate properties to face scrutiny.
Naqvi also pointed out that the report appears to selectively target certain individuals, omitting data on “thousands of other people who own properties in Dubai.” He called for an inquiry into those who have not declared their foreign properties or hold illegitimate assets. Expressing disappointment over the tendency to brand successful business people as “thieves,” he lamented the negative impact on business reputation in the country.
Despite the criticism, Naqvi affirmed his commitment to serving with a positive outlook. Addressing a separate issue, he responded to Ali Amin Gandapur’s recent threats regarding the state-owned power distribution firm, Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco). Naqvi downplayed the remarks as political posturing, asserting that a “sensible individual” would not contemplate seizing a government building. He warned that any attempt to control a state-owned installation would be dealt with accordingly.
Regarding the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Naqvi announced that Rs23 billion in funds had been allocated to the region’s government. He addressed criticism for not visiting AJK, advising critics to refer to the 18th Amendment for clarification on his actions.
