Amid Widespread Poverty, Pakistan’s Leaders and Military Chiefs Own Billions in Overseas Property

International News: Pakistan is stuck in unprecedented economic crisis today. According to the World Bank report, the foreign debt on the country has exceeded $ 133 billion by 2025, which is about 74% of its GDP (GDP). Rising inflation, weak economic policies and political instability have further spoiled the economic condition of the country. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) sanctioned a loan of $ 2.4 billion to Pakistan in May 2025, but with more than 50 strict conditions. These conditions are putting additional pressure on the weak economy of the country.

Poverty conditions in Pakistan

According to the 2023 Human Development Index (HDI), more than 100 million people in Pakistan are living below the poverty line. The country's poverty index is in the worst position in South Asia, making life more difficult for the general public. It has also become challenging for people to meet everyday needs amid financial constraints.

Wealth of leaders and military officers in foreign properties

At the time of this economic crisis, some influential leaders of the country and former military major are the owners of foreign properties, further highlighting the picture of economic inequality. The Dubai property leak, which surfaced in 2024, exposed foreign assets worth billions of rupees of many politicians, bureaucrats and former army chiefs.

Foreign assets of Sharif family

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, his family members, including former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, have foreign assets of several billions of rupees. Shahbaz Sharif's sons Suleman and Hamza have a property of about Rs 650 crore in Dubai. Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam Sharif also has assets worth about 200 crores. There is a huge investment of Sharif family in prime locations like Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina and Al Thaniyah of Dubai. His names are luxury flats in London too.

Properties of Zardari family and other politicians

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's children - Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Asifa Bhutto Zardari - also have major assets in Dubai, New York, Britain, France. He had many foreign properties in the Panama Papers leak. In Swiss banks, the amount of crores is present in their accounts.

Former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has properties related to oil business worth Rs 1300 crore in Dubai. He also has properties worth crores of rupees in Italy and France. Former President and Chief of Army Staff Pervez Musharraf has expensive properties in Dubai, London and France. At the same time, the name of former Army Chief Ashfaq Parvez Kiani's son is a huge farmhouse of 70 thousand acres in Australia, which costs more than Rs 100 crore.

Status and question of general public

Amidst this entire situation, the general public of Pakistan is facing poverty, unemployment and inflation. The country's foreign exchange reserves are only around $ 14 billion, which is barely fulfilled by the country's three months. Meanwhile, foreign assets of leaders and military officers are in crores. In such a situation, questions arise in the minds of the people that when the country is in financial crisis, where did these rulers come from?