Kh Asif keeps not one but three iqamas of UAE Co

ISLAMABAD: 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.

Agency adds: In a series of tweets, the PTI leader claimed to have acquired a copy of the UAE permit of the minister, who he believed, will be disqualified under the Article 62 and 62 of the constitution for concealing such information from the Election Commission of Pakistan.

He said Khawaja Asif was found to be an employee of a UAE company besides a federal minister. He had not mentioned his employment and income from the company in his nomination papers submitted in the ECP.

He alleged that Khawaja Asif, who he said was Nawaz Sharif's front man, was involved in billion of rupees corruption in Water and Power Ministry and he resolved to bring to light more evidences of his employment with the company.

Rebutting PTI leader's claims, Khawaja Asif said he had declared his UAE employment in his nomination papers and tax documents. He added since 1983 he had been receiving money from UAE through banking channels and held a bank account in Abu Dhabi.

It merits mention here that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also holds UAE travel permit, which he had admitted before the Supreme Court, saying that he held UAE travel permit which he had declared in his documents submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan ahead of the 2013 general elections. - NNI