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ISLAMABAD: Reacting to corruption charges related to four London properties, the UK Chapter of Transparency International has asked the British government to investigate those assets and no longer provide a safe haven to Nawaz Sharif and his family.
“If a UK investigation concludes that the properties have been bought with corrupt money, then the authorities should move to seize the assets. Transparency International also calls on the UK law enforcement to investigate any further property in the UK owned by the Sharif family,” says a press release issued by the UK chapter of the corruption watchdog.
“It has been reported that Nawaz Sharif is currently in London and has regularly been visiting the UK during the trial. The UK government has consistently said it aims to crack down on the laundering of corrupt funds through the UK, although recent media reports suggest that the authorities failed to properly assist Pakistani counterparts during this investigation,” it said.
Head of Advocacy at Transparency International UK, Rachel Davies Teka said: “We are calling on the UK authorities to investigate the London-based assets identified in this conviction and ensure that Mr Sharif and his family are no longer able to enjoy any luxury homes that are found to have been bought with the proceeds of corruption. Furthermore, we believe the UK must look into any other potentially criminal UK-based assets owned by the Sharif family.
“This will serve as an important test as to how serious the government is on cracking down on the prevalence of corrupt money in our capital. The laundering of dirty money is not confined to Russian oligarchs and it is important that we target illicit assets wherever they originate from.”
“The recent passing of legislation that will require British Overseas Territories to publicly reveal the true owners of companies is a key step towards preventing the purchase of UK property with suspicious wealth. The UK must now ensure it follows through on this legislation, so that we no longer need to rely on leaks like the Panama Papers to reveal cases such as this one.”
Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2018
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Comments (68) Closed
Jul 08, 2018 09:11am
Another blow to Nawaz Shareef's credibility,
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Jul 08, 2018 09:17am
Third world countries will never be able to successfully eradicate corruption unless western safe havens like UK are fully willing to cooperate with the countries to prosecute , extradite and seize assets.
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Jul 08, 2018 09:17am
Please start the investigation right at this second without any delays.
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Jul 08, 2018 09:18am
Well spoken TI, the Brits are also involved in this triangle as it brings money in their country. There are rules and then their are rules that justify them. Ask them about Ghaddafis money they used to shore up their banks. People who make rules always have loopholes. Look at Altaf Bhai enjoying a good life in UK.
But we need to shame them in following the rules as it is killing us. Don't let the pressure down.
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Jul 08, 2018 09:19am
London has always been a safe haven for the corrupt politicians and money laundering including traitors from other countries like Altaf.
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Jul 08, 2018 09:19am
Nothing will happen. UK will not cooperate with Pakistan in handing over Avenfield properties to Pakistan Govt. The court should instead confiscate NS's properties in Pakistan
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Jul 08, 2018 09:25am
Thanks Amnesty.
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Jul 08, 2018 09:27am
A justified position on the part Transparency International.
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Jul 08, 2018 09:54am
Well done, Transparency International! Its about time western governments took action to stop such powerful individuals (Zardari is another one) from using the property market, offshore companies and secret bank accounts (again mostly in European jurisdictions) to cleanse the plundered resources of their nations.
I also urge the Western donors to recognize that only a fraction of the development aid money never gets to the causes it was meant for. Instead, powerful and corrupt politicians (like The Sahrifs, Bhuttos / Zardaris, etc....the list for Pakistan is VERY VERY LONG) divert those funds to finance their lavish lifestyles. Imran Khan has been advocating stoppage of foreign aid for many years for these reasons & it is high time the donors took notice of these pleas.
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Jul 08, 2018 09:54am
What a shame Nawaz Sharif is to Pakistan and himself.
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Jul 08, 2018 09:58am
I hope UK listens. Many criminals have got properties there.
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Jul 08, 2018 10:05am
The UK will only do something if transparency international persue this case more vigorously. Just one statement won't help.
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Jul 08, 2018 10:46am
The British government must do the right thing and seize his assets. These assets were bought with looted money that belong to the poor people of Pakistan. So it is the responsibility of the British government to return the money to Pakistan. Just like the British government would have expected Pakistan to arrest and hand over a terrorist who would have commit an act of terrorism and living in Pakistan.
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Jul 08, 2018 10:53am
UK must not allow Sharifs to enjoy the life in London with their ill gotten wealth
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Jul 08, 2018 11:03am
Confiscate the property and it should be sold and money handed over to Government of Pakistan.
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Jul 08, 2018 11:04am
It is a known fact for most of us that corrupt politicians of South Asian countries found UK and British islands as the safe haven to park their looted money. The UK govt. not interested in finding these people background and from where they earn this large sum of money. Allegedly UK govt. talk about curbing money laundering in the world but it seems they are the biggest facilitator and contributor.
Why only Sudan, Maymar etc. in the list of banned countries it is time to list UK name so that these corrupt politicians and their families will not enjoy their lives in the UK.
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Jul 08, 2018 11:09am
Now PML N will say that transparency international is also controled by establishment of Pakistan.
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Jul 08, 2018 11:10am
If a layman had to apply for UK,Canada or other countries immigration, he is asked to provide police clearance certificate.
How come big shots having been charged or convicted are not asked before giving them any kind of Visa.
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Jul 08, 2018 11:17am
UK, uae, panama,Switzerland are fecilitatin corrupt politicians to shore up stolen mony from poor masses so these countries are equally involve in this corrupt offence and deserve sanctions and international community should make them accountable
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Jul 08, 2018 11:43am
International community should stand with Pakistan at this defining moment to eradicate corruption. People of Pakistan are craving for basic necessities of life and corrupt politicans like Nawaz and Zardadri eracting thier empire abroad. If United kingdom wouldn't exhibit its determination aganist corruption and confiscate the Nawaz property those bought beyond his known source of income means they are the facilitrator behind corrupt practices.
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Jul 08, 2018 11:53am
They gave free pass to Altaf in money laundering case and put 3 Pakistani cricketers in jail for few thousands pounds, they would never take actions for free flow billions coming in from poor countries rulers, very sad affairs.
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Jul 08, 2018 11:56am
Yep. Transparency is right here. His all property should be confiscated and the money after selling his properties (both domestic and international i.e. Raiwind, Jatiumra, London, and Dubai etc.) should be gathered in DAM CREATION FUND started by the Chief Justice.
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Jul 08, 2018 12:17pm
Very good and sensible suggestion. UK government must not be seen to be providing safe haven to corrupt ex-politicians and goverment officials. Lot of the London property has appreciated artificially due to black money pouring in from Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia.
Sharifs should be handed to FIA and deported back to Pakistan and their properties liquidated to compensate the people of Pakistan.
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Jul 08, 2018 12:19pm
A good and just move. UK government ‘s failure to establish the nature of the inflow of this stolen and corrupt money has made London a hiding place for criminals and corrupt politicians from the world over. It is time the British Government came clean and acted to eliminate the unfairness and injustice of allowing in these people without question whilst subjecting its own citizens with severe restrictions on their ability to bring their spouses in from outside Europe. I applaud the actions of Transparency International and urge it to pursue this with the British Government relentlessly.
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Jul 08, 2018 12:26pm
Fully agree with this suggestion - let’s see if MN produces the same trust deed to U.K. authorities
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Jul 08, 2018 01:11pm
Why do the TI waits for verdict. Why can’t they simply investigate when someone buys these expensive properties. Simply ask them to show money trail and NOC from the government of the country where these money are coming from.
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Jul 08, 2018 01:16pm
Govt of Pakistan to keep in touch with UK govt to act according to local property ownership law. Otherwise it will motivate those who like to invest their black money in UK.
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Jul 08, 2018 01:29pm
Transparency international is overstepping their boundaries. PMLN should sue them. Nowhere in the verdict it is written that any corruption charge of any type is proved. So how come they can conclude that it bought from any ill gotten money?. The local employees of transparency international must be thoroughly investigated as they misled their international counterparts in this regard.
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Jul 08, 2018 01:44pm
History repeats itself.?
Why the premier once always be dunce?
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Jul 08, 2018 02:00pm
Why all criminals like Isaq Dar, Nawaz Sharif, his family members and other politicians decide to go to UK for hiding and invest their looted money there - is UK a heaven for criminals or hidden place for their puppets?
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Jul 08, 2018 02:09pm
The UK government must also investigate Asif Zardari’s assets including ownership of the ultra expensive One Hyde Park apartments.
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Jul 08, 2018 02:36pm
A superbly good move. Thanks to Transperancy International. Please help Pakistan by tracking the assets of Asif Ali Zadar alsom
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Jul 08, 2018 02:38pm
Very appropriate
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Jul 08, 2018 02:42pm
TI UK's stance is appreciated however the agency must look into the support provided to Shariefs by TI' s Pakistan chapter by announcing all projects of their govt as transparent and clean. TI has not looked into accountability of decisions taken by previous govt and benefits of alternate options available for huge spendings. We know unbiased approach of TI UK but biasedness of TI Pakistan cannot be ruled out.
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Jul 08, 2018 03:41pm
UK always provide safe heaven to corrupts and will not change it policy.
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Jul 08, 2018 03:55pm
UK is safe haven to economical offenders all over the world.
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Jul 08, 2018 04:02pm
International community should stand with Pakistan at this defining moment to eradicate corruption. People of Pakistan are craving for basic necessities of life and corrupt politicans like Nawaz and Zardadri eracting thier empire abroad. If United kingdom wouldn't exhibit its determination aganist corruption and confiscate the Nawaz property those bought beyond his known source of income means they are the facilitrator behind corrupt practices.
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Jul 08, 2018 04:08pm
7 year Limitation law
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Jul 08, 2018 04:33pm
The British will have long procedure in these cases nothing will happen soon.
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Jul 08, 2018 04:37pm
UK failing badly one by one after MQM ban in Pakistan.
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Jul 08, 2018 04:53pm
The big test awaits for UK "establishment".
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Jul 08, 2018 05:01pm
Don’t think UK is going to help in this case as If UK start doing this it ll be a landmark case , and others will follow soon and UK property market could be sunk
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Jul 08, 2018 05:20pm
Western economies run on third-world's corrupt leaders. Corrupt are allowed to bring their ill-gotten money but have to live according to their rules as good citizens.
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Jul 08, 2018 05:24pm
@Tariq 100% agree! UK is at a serious risk of itself being labelled as a corrupt regime if it continues to provide safe heavens for corrupt politicians from around the world!!!
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Jul 08, 2018 05:26pm
Lax enforcement of British laws has led to these type of dishonest business dealings. This must stop so that a small and financially weak country cannot be exploited and bankrupted by a few at the top.
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Jul 08, 2018 05:26pm
UK is fast gaining the reputation to provide shelter to the corrupt politicians from around the world as well as the money such politicians loot from their poor countries and bring to invest in the UK !!
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Jul 08, 2018 05:38pm
Shouldn't the UK be put on the Financial Action Task Force grey list?
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Jul 08, 2018 05:54pm
@Anti-Corruption exactly
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Jul 08, 2018 06:02pm
Why not? It makes perfect sense. Besides civilized West champions human rights, transparency in public affairs in democracy and grown in those who do money laundering and like.
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Jul 08, 2018 06:32pm
London breathes on stolen money of poor nations and protects corrupt third world politicians. British Raj is still alive in disguise and UK government is not interested to return a single penny to any third world country.
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Jul 08, 2018 07:12pm
@Anti-Corruption they should confiscate NS and UK propert. In Pakistan, unless UK cooperate in moneylaundeting prosecution fully.
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Jul 08, 2018 07:15pm
London and Dubai are built on Mafia money. You're asking them to shut down their business.
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Jul 08, 2018 07:25pm
So many poor countries are suffering because their leaders are hoarding their nations assets in countries like UK
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Jul 08, 2018 07:45pm
The irony here is that if any Pakistani is stopped at a British airport carrying more than £3,000 in cash to take abroad, without any adequate explanation, receipts or bank statements, the money will be confiscated by customs officials. They will even go in so far as to contact HRMC (UK's tax body) to see whether your tax and national insurance contributions are paid for the tax years and are uptodate. However, if you move large sums of money to the UK, without a money trail, no questions are asked, particularly if your'e a political heavyweight.
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Jul 08, 2018 07:45pm
Let London not become the safe haven for looters, (NS)murderers and criminals. (Altaf Hussain).
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Jul 08, 2018 07:52pm
@Abdullah khan well said agree with you entirely
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Jul 08, 2018 08:10pm
Nothing new here to see - KSA, UAE, UK are all well known to provide safe heaven to most to all of our criminal so called leaders to use them later as pawns.
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Jul 08, 2018 08:37pm
Why would they do this? Their banking system would suffer if they went after third world money launderers. It's not in their interests to do anything about this. They don't suffer from reputational damage either. The Swiss continue to provide a safe haven for instance. They have a good reputation as does The City.
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Jul 08, 2018 08:43pm
UK is the biggest supporter of terrorists. They provide safe heavens to their leaders.
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Jul 08, 2018 08:50pm
Great recommendation by transperency international. However, in the corridors of power revolving around 10 Downing street in London, who cares?
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Jul 08, 2018 08:50pm
Imran Khan Zindabad.
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Jul 08, 2018 09:57pm
The British Government has been at the forefront of assisting money laundering for decades. Most of the most expensive properties in London are from such proceeds, managed by mostly British banks and institutions, many in off shore companies.
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Jul 09, 2018 02:06am
finally! more justice!
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Jul 09, 2018 12:46pm
A test also for the UK to see if they actually follow the Anti Corruption drive all over the world and boot them out or as always act hypocritically and provide safe Haven to all the convicted criminals to use later on as puppets. #SayNoToCorruption
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Jul 09, 2018 03:34pm
The UK should take steps to freeze all properties and investments of the Sharif family to keep up with its anti money laundering laws and to discourage people like Nawaz shareef to cheat the people of his country. PM is responsible for the assets of his country, nawaz has been unfaithful, dishonest and disloyal to Pakistan.
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Jul 09, 2018 05:33pm
Had the western countries not accommodated the criminals and corrupt money of the poor countries, their rulers would not have succeeded in looting the masses.
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Jul 09, 2018 06:33pm
Well done Transparency UK.
Don't forget Mr Zardari and his clan. He is also a notoriously corrupt man from Pakistan. He should be barred from UK as well.
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Jul 09, 2018 07:36pm
Nawaz Sharif is guilty of abusing the office of prime minister to defraud the country and enrich his family. He was involved in commissions, money laundering, tax evasion, secret Panama companies and bank accounts and lied to the nation about it. In any other country he would have been sent to prison long time back. The people of Pakistan demand accountability of corrupt politicians. Therefore, United Kingdom must not allow him safe haven.
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