LAHORE: Recent claims made by The News, specifically in an article authored by Umar Cheema, regarding the ownership of a property in Dubai by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s wife, requires a closer examination.
Naqvi’s Transparent Response to Allegations
Naqvi, in a tweet, refuted the allegations, stating that the Dubai property, purchased in his wife’s name since 2017, was fully declared in both tax returns and to the Election Commission. Naqvi further clarified that the property was sold a year ago, with the proceeds used to purchase a new property, which they intend to declare in the current year’s tax declarations and to the Election Commission.
Clearing Misconceptions
Cheema’s report suggests that Naqvi’s wife failed to declare the Dubai property in nomination papers submitted for the Senate election in March. However, Naqvi’s response contradicts this claim, asserting that the property was indeed declared in relevant documents.
Moreover, it’s important to note that the data accessed by The News and other media outlets was updated only till 2022. Naqvi’s wife’s ownership of a property in Dubai, purchased in January of the current year, falls outside the scope of the available data. Her commitment to declaring this property in subsequent tax declarations and to the Election Commission demonstrates a proactive approach to compliance.
While the ‘Dubai Unlocked’ project sheds light on property ownership in Dubai, it’s crucial to recognise that owning property abroad is not inherently illegal. Naqvi and his wife’s commitment to declaring their assets reflects a transparent and accountable approach to governance, in line with legal requirements.
The allegations made against Mohsin Naqvi and his wife lack substantial evidence, and their proactive stance towards property declaration aligns with regulatory requirements. Therefore, the claims made in Umar Cheema’s article may be considered misleading, lacking full context and verification.
