Khawaja Asif had not just one but three Iqamas

The defence minister had mentioned his Iqama in his nomination papers

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) claims, indeed had an iqama (a UAE firm work permit), however, he had mentioned it in his 2013 election nomination papers.

According to the Asif's election nomination papers available with Express News, he had cited his iqama issued by UAE's International and Mechanical Company under which he was hired as a legal adviser for six months.

A returning officer had cleared Asif's papers for NA-110 after scrtinising them.

Overall, the minister has held three iqamas during different periods.



One from 2007 to 2010, the second from 2010 to 2011, and the third for further six months.

Asif said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Federal Board of Revenue were aware of his iqamas. He added that he had a bank account in Abu Dhabi since 1984 and he used that channel to receive money.

PTI leader Usman Dar had demanded Asif's disqualification under articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution saying that the minister was an employee of a company in Dubai and he had not informed the ECP about his income from that source. He also claimed that Asif had benefited that company by engaging it in various projects in Pakistan.