Dubai Unlocked

Dubai Leaks is a global collaborative investigative journalism project that has revealed the global elite's ownership of properties in Dubai. The project, named Dubai Unlocked, is based on data that provides a detailed overview of millions of properties in Dubai and information on their ownership or use, mostly between 2020 and 2022.[1][2]

Overview

The data was obtained by the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS), a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC, that conducts research on transnational crime and conflict. It was then shared with Norwegian financial outlet E24 and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which coordinated a six-month investigative project with reporters from 74 media outlets in 58 countries.[1]

Pakistani property owners

Pakistanis are the second most foreign nationals owning properties in Dubai. The total value of properties owned by Pakistanis is estimated to be around $11 billion.[1] More than a dozen retired military officials and their families, as well as bankers and bureaucrats, own properties in upscale areas of Dubai.[2][3]

Notable Pakistani property owners

Prominent Pakistani figures listed in the Property Leaks include:[1][2]

Statements on the leaks

Reacting to Dubai Property Leaks, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's spokesperson said that all the domestic and foreign assets of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asifa Bhutto Zardari have been declared before the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).[4]

Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also said that the property bought in his wife's name in Dubai had been declared with the relevant authorities.[5]

Global impact

The Dubai Leaks have exposed the property ownership of not only the Pakistani elite but also other global players,[6] such as Aliaksei Aleksin (Belarus) and Bogoljub Karić (Serbia).[7] Data leaks have revealed how criminals, tax evaders, Russian oligarchs and other shady personalities own property in Dubai. It has also raised concerns about money laundering and the use of offshore entities to hide wealth.[8]

Controversies

The Dubai leaks have sparked controversy and debate. Some have questioned the timing of the leaks,[9] while others have raised concerns about terrorist groups suspected of funneling money to Dubai properties.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Pakistanis own properties worth billions of dollars in Dubai". www.thenews.com.pk.
  2. ^ a b c "'Dubai Unlocked': Zardari, Musharraf, Naqvi's wife, ex-army officials revealed as Dubai lavish property owners". Pakistan Observer. May 14, 2024.
  3. ^ "'Ex-govt officials among scores of elite are Dubai property holders'". The News International.
  4. ^ "All assets already declared before authorities: Bilawal's spokesperson". www.geo.tv.
  5. ^ "Mohsin Naqvi responds to wife's name's inclusion in Dubai leaks report". www.geo.tv.
  6. ^ "Global players feature in Dubai property leaks". Dawn. May 14, 2024.
  7. ^ "How Dirty Money Finds a Home in Dubai Real Estate". Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. May 14, 2024.
  8. ^ Kupfer, Matthew; Frich, Eiliv Flydal. "Dubai Uncovered: Data Leak Exposes How Criminals, Officials, and Sanctioned Politicians Poured Money Into Dubai Real Estate". Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project.
  9. ^ Ovsyaniy, Kyrylo; Andrushko, Serhiy; Tolstyakova, Kira (17 May 2024). "Dubai Unlocked: How Yanukovych-Era Ukrainian Officials Poured Millions into Secretive U.A.E. Real Estate". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
  10. ^ "Terrorist groups suspected of funneling money to Dubai properties". dreamproperties.ae. May 14, 2024.