Pakistanis Hold $11b Billion Worth of Properties in Dubai

A project called ‘Dubai Unlocked’ has revealed the property ownership of many influential people around the world in Dubai. This investigation uses data that gives a detailed look into hundreds of thousands of properties in Dubai, focusing on the years 2020 to 2022.

Among the property owners are Pakistani nationals, whose total property holdings are estimated to be around $11 billion. The investigation shows that non-residents own about $400 billion worth of properties in Dubai, including the $11 billion owned by Pakistanis.

The “Property Leaks” have identified several political figures, government officials, and retired civil servants from different countries who own properties in Dubai. The leaks reveal that President Asif Ali Zardari’s three children, Hussain Nawaz Sharif (son of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif), and the wife of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi are among the notable Pakistani owners. Additionally, Sharjeel Memon and his family, Senator Faisal Vawda, Farah Gogi, Sher Afzal Marwat, and several members of the National Assembly (MNAs) and Provincial Assemblies (MPAs) from Sindh and Balochistan also feature in the list. Pakistanis are the second-largest group of non-residents buying properties in the city, with 17,000 Pakistanis owning 23,000 properties worth $11 billion.

The leaks also include the late Gen Pervez Musharraf, former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, and over a dozen retired generals, along with a police chief, an ambassador, and a scientist. These individuals own properties either directly or through their spouses and children.

Indian citizens are the largest group of non-residents buying properties in Dubai, with 29,700 Indians owning 35,000 properties. Additionally, 19,500 British citizens own 22,000 properties in Dubai, valued at $10 billion. At least 8,500 Saudi citizens own 16,000 properties in Dubai, worth over $8 billion.