PM’s aide meets UAE minister to track down ‘unlawful’ wealth

Shahzad Akbar says both countries will soon reach an agreement for tracing down illegal properties

DUBAI: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar on Saturday met with United Arab Emirates Minister of Justice and discussed matters related to recovery of unlawful wealth of Pakistanis in UAE.

In his tweet, PM’s special assistant said, “Recently met with UAE Minister of Justice Sultan Saeed Al Badi to discuss setting up operational liaison between both the countries for exchange of information and signing bilateral accords for seeking information and recovery of unlawful wealth.”

Akbar was optimistic that both the countries would soon reach an agreement of tracing down the illegal properties acquired by the Pakistani citizens.



Addressing a presser on November 12, he vowed that all heavyweights laundering money in by using Iqama (foreign work permit) would soon be nabbed.

Assistant to PM on accountability had said, 5.3 billion US dollars were laundered from Pakistan and more than 5,000 fake accounts were used in illegal transfer of above $1 billion. Pakistan is the top third country to invest in the real estate of Dubai, PM’s special aide said.

Presenting the figures, Akbar mentioned, in last decade, Pakistanis bought properties in Dubai, which worth $15 billion. “Initially, we are chasing people who possess assets above $1 million,” he stated.

As the government gathers more information, the names of culprits would be placed in the exit control list (ECL). Moreover, Akbar apprised that talks were underway with a few countries regarding the legal aspects of freezing the laundered money of the culprits.