Millionaire Pak senators declare 'not so rich' status

Islamabad, Feb. 1 (ANI): The details of assets declared by senators to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have revealed that several legislators, who otherwise enjoy luxurious lifestyle, have very limited assets.

The report says that some senators don't even own any property, or if they do, it has been gifted to them by unknown sources.

Many, including Senate deputy Chairman Jan Muhammad Jamali, have claimed that they don't even own a car. Those who drive lavish cars admit their costs to be only a few thousands, the Daily Times reported.

Some legislators have also stated that their debt and liabilities exceeded their assets.

Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro, who lives in a multi-hectare farmhouse and a luxury bungalow in Islamabad, has declared his immovable property assets around five million rupees.

These properties include houses in Karachi, Lahore, Jacobabad, Ahmedpur and Shikarpur. The chairman owns a 1998 Toyota, valuing 350,000 rupees and has 892,324 rupees in various bank accounts.

However, multimillionaire Deputy Chairman Jan Muhammad Jamali is among those senators who do not own a car. His immovable property assets are worth 20.1 million rupees. Deputy Chairman Jamali has a bank account with only 60,000 rupees, while he possesses jewellery worth Rs 1.380 million.

Leader of the House Raza Rabbani has been gifted two properties in posh areas of both Lahore and Karachi, with a total net worth of 10 million rupees. Rabbani's other assets include two cars, 220 tolas of gold, bank accounts worth 446,000 rupees and furniture worth 700,000 rupees.

Law and Justice Minister Farooq H Naik has declared immovable property of 10.201 million rupees, including plots and houses in Karachi and an office worth 1.124 million rupees.

His movable assets are worth 10.379 million rupees. Naik has liabilities worth 5.669 million rupees, including 3.23 million rupees received through cross check upon the closure of the foreign currency account of Mrs Nusrat Bhutto, her attorney.

Ports and Shipping Minister Babar Ghauri owns immovable properties worth 177.550 million rupees besides movable properties of millions of rupees. (ANI)