The Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday released the asset details of provincial lawmakers.
Judging by their declared assets, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is the richest, while Qaim Ali Shah is the poorest of all provincial chief ministers. Shehbaz owns more assets than those of the three chief ministers’ combined.
Shehbaz Sharif may own property worth Rs116 million, which includes holdings in the United Kingdom, Lahore and Murree, but his only vehicle is a 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser, which he claims was ‘partially gifted’ to him.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak also owns over Rs267m in property, including over 216 kanals in Nowshera, but he claims to drive a simple Toyota Corolla, valued at Rs1,367,075. His wife also owns a house worth Rs35m in DHA, Lahore.
The Punjab CM has indicated that he owns stakes in four of the Sharif family’s enterprises: Hudabiya Engineering, Hamza Spinning Mills, Mohammad Baksh Textile Mills and Hudabiya Paper Mills.
According to the CM’s declaration, his wife, Nusrat Shahbaz owns assets worth Rs277 million, including properties at eight different places in Kasur and Sheikhupura. She also holds stakes in Sharif family enterprises, such as Ramzan Sugar Mills, Hamza Spinning Mills, Kalsoom Textile Mills, Mohammad Baksh Textile Mills, Madni Trading, Sharif Poultry, Sharif Dairy, Sharif Mills, Quality Chicken, Crystal Plastics and Ramzan Energy Ltd.
His second spouse, Tehmina Durrani, owns assets worth Rs9.1 million.
Moonis Elahi, son of former Punjab chief minister Pervaiz Elahi, has declared a liquid value of nearly Rs300m, in addition to investments worth nearly Rs200m and properties worth around Rs124m, including homes in Lahore and Khaira Gali.
KP Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has assets worth Rs50m, including two plots worth Rs15m in Bani Gala, Islamabad, and property worth more than Rs34m in his home district of Swabi.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has declared wealth worth Rs20m, while former Sindh information minister Sharjeel Memon — who is currently out of the country — has declared property, vehicles and investments of over Rs100m.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sardar Sanaullah Zehri has declared property, jewellery and cash worth Rs 140 million, while former chief minister Abdul Malik Baloch is worth Rs33 million.
Although lawmakers are sometimes prone to undervaluing their assets, KP
MPA Ehtesham Javed, PK 88-Shangla, only owns inherited land worth of Rs 450,000 and furniture of Rs 30,000, making him one of the ‘poorest’ lawmakers in the provincial legislature.
Another member of the Sindh Assembly, Sharmila Faruqui owns 135 acres of land in Thatta. This land was a ‘gift’ from her mother while she also has 100 tolas of gold and gems inherited from her ancestors. Besides, 200 tolas of gold were also presented to her by her parents and in-laws on her marriage. She also owns Rs4.8 million in cash and bank account.
Sultan Mohammad Khan of PK-18-Charsadda, despite his wealth, claims to drive a simple Suzuki Mehran hatchback, worth Rs525,000, which he claimed to have brought from his savings.
