Dubai Unlocked Leaks Reveal Pakistani Elite’s Multi-Billion Dollar Property Holdings in UAE

A major international investigation has revealed that thousands of Pakistani nationals, including prominent politicians, retired military officers, business figures, and their families, own residential properties in Dubai worth an estimated $11–12.5 billion.

The Dubai Unlocked project, a collaborative effort by over 70 media outlets worldwide coordinated by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and involving Dawn and The News from Pakistan, analyzed leaked data from the Dubai Land Department and related records. The snapshot mainly covers residential properties from 2020 to early 2022.

According to the leaks, approximately 17,000 Pakistani citizens are listed as owners of around 23,000 properties. Academics and additional analysis suggest the actual number of Pakistani owners could reach 22,000. Pakistanis rank second among foreign nationals in Dubai property ownership, behind Indians.

The data highlights ownership — directly or through spouses and children, by several high-profile Pakistanis in upscale areas such as Dubai Marina, Emirates Hills, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, and Al Barsha. Key figures include:

– President Asif Ali Zardari’s three children: Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari (PPP Chairman), Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, and Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari. They collectively own multiple properties, including a penthouse. Bilawal has stated these were declared in his asset filings.
– Hussain Nawaz Sharif, son of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
– Wife of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi (Ms. Ashraf/Asif).
– Sharjeel Memon (Sindh provincial minister) and family members.
– Senator Faisal Vawda.
– Farhat Shahzadi (Farah Gogi).
– Sher Afzal Marwat (PTI lawmaker).
– Late Gen. Pervez Musharraf and family (properties in Dubai Marina, Burj Khalifa area, and Al Thanyah Fifth).
– Former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
– Over a dozen retired generals and military officials, including Lt Gen (retd) Muhammad Afzal Muzaffar, Maj Gen (retd) Ghazanfar Ali Khan, and others. The son of former army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, Saad Siddique Bajwa is also mentioned.
– Lawmakers from Sindh and Balochistan assemblies, including four MNAs and half a dozen MPAs (e.g., Sardar Aslam Raisani, Amer Ali Magsi, Sheikh M Mugheri, Sardar Khan Chandio).
– Other figures: Media house owner Salman Iqbal, former minister Marvi Memon, IG Police AJK Tajik Sohail Aziz, and various bureaucrats, bankers, and a scientist.

Properties range from studio apartments to luxury villas and even entire buildings in some cases, with average values around $410,000 per property.

Many individuals named in the leaks have responded that the properties were acquired legally, often declared in asset statements submitted to Pakistani authorities like the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and in some cases already sold or transferred. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s spokesperson emphasized that the assets were disclosed. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and others described the revelations as “nothing new or illegal.” Some noted that ownership can change over time, and the data is a historical snapshot up to spring 2022.

Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman indicated that the leaks could prompt further investigations and lead to new tax laws regarding offshore assets.

The Dubai Unlocked investigation (building on earlier “Sandcastles” and other reports) used data obtained by the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS). It focuses on transparency issues around foreign ownership in Dubai, including cases linked to alleged corruption, money laundering, or sanctions in various countries. While many Pakistani holdings appear legitimate investments, the leaks have sparked debate in cash-strapped Pakistan about elite wealth parked abroad.

This story continues to generate discussion across Pakistani media and social platforms.