Dubai flat: PM Imran's sister had not paid penalty but availed amnesty scheme: report

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Imran Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, has not paid any penalty and tax on her Dubai property, a local newspaper claimed, citing sources.

Earlier, it was reported that the sister of the premier taking a courageous step paid 25 per cent of the total estimated worth of her luxurious flat as tax while an additional 25 percent as the fine was also deposited to avoid legal consequences.

However, it emerged that Aleema had declared her "illegal assets" when she availed the amnesty scheme introduced by the previous government of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

An official on the condition of anonymity told an Urdu newspaper that the prime minister's sister did not pay any penalty or tax but availed the scheme.

The previous government had launched the amnesty scheme to provide a chance to citizens to regularise their national and foreign assets.

PM Imran's sister Aleema Khan pays penalty on Dubai property

Aleema Khan owns a luxurious flat tucked near Burj Khalifa, The Lofts East-1406, in the United Arab Emirates and she was slapped with a double penalty (taxes and fine) for failure to disclose the property.

Earlier, media reports citing the individuals involved in the matter say the premier's sister sealed the deal with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in four weeks.

Aleema Khan's legal team had not responded to FBR and FIA as to how the properties were acquired in the first place, Geo News reported.

In her affidavit, Aleema Khan only stated that the Lofts East:1460 was paid for from funds generated from her business dealings overseas.

She continued that the property has already been disposed of and FBR has been informed about the purchase and sale of the said property.

Imran Khan's sister also informed the office of Director General FIA, Bashir Ahmed Memon about the successful execution of process this week; Chaudhry Z. Ashraf Advocate Lahore was oath commissioner for the process.

FIA had informed the Supreme Court that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sister owned 'benami' property and a notice had been sent.

As the FIA is tracing the Pakistanis who own offshore properties, around 20 other overseas properties' owners  have also deposited their taxes and fines.

Dr Muhammad Iqbal, an FBR spokesperson expressed that the record of a taxpayer is confidential and can't be disclosed.

FIA submitted its initial report on foreign properties in October stating that 35 politicians and their associates own properties in Dubai.

‘The FIA initiated investigations against 3,570 Pakistanis who own properties worth Rs1,015 billion in Dubai,’ the report added.

It was further stated in the report that nine benamidaars have been identified as well as 150 extremely rich individuals who own properties worth Rs30 billion.

‘Investigation was suspended against 386 persons who benefitted from the amnesty scheme. Those who owned 374 properties in Dubai benefitted from Tax Amnesty Scheme 2018,’ it added.

‘900 Pakistanis illegally own properties in Dubai,’ the report highlighted.