Pakistani General Faces Allegations: Hidden Foreign Assets and Financial Irregularities
This photo is taken from 'Fact Focus'
A top Pakistani military general, Lt. Gen. Shafaat Ullah Shah, a close associate of former dictator General Pervez Musharraf has been found in a series of alleged financial improprieties. This includes a web of concealed foreign properties in Manhattan, London, and Dubai, coupled with dubious financial dealings and false statements to tax authorities.
The investigation and findings by Fact Focus shed light on a pattern of secrecy that persisted over an extended period, raising questions about the military general sources of income and integrity.
It reveals that General Shafaat Ullah Shah, who served in key positions such as military secretary to General Musharraf, corps commander in Lahore, and chief of logistics staff at the general headquarters in Rawalpindi, acquired luxurious properties in prime international locations without apparent legitimate means.
The alleged improprieties include the acquisition of a London apartment in 2007 through an offshore company, registered in his wife Fariha Shah’s name, from an Indian citizen named Akbar Asif. The general reportedly maintained secrecy about this property for a decade, concealing it from Pakistani tax authorities until 2017 when the offshore company, Talah Limited, was named in the Panama Papers.
Furthermore, in 2011, while serving as a corps commander, General Shafaat acquired an apartment in the UAE, allegedly using a single year’s salary drawn from Texpo, a Dubai-based IT infrastructure company. The investigation reveals that he concealed his employment with Texpo until 2017, only disclosing it when required to declare and account for his UAE properties.
In 2012, the general allegedly acquired a luxurious apartment in downtown Manhattan for US$1.4 million, waiting twenty-eight months after his retirement before making the purchase. Fact Focus investigations, based on official records of the New York City government, reveal discrepancies in the general’s tax records and transactions, indicating that he did not report this Manhattan property to Pakistani tax authorities during the period when he was the sole owner.
The investigation also sheds light on the alleged wealth of the army general in the UAE, with the disclosure of multiple properties by his wife and son after the Panama Papers revelations. The declaration raised questions about the number and ownership of these properties, with General Shafaat claiming joint ownership of a single apartment in Dubai with his son.
Moreover, the investigation delves into General Shafaat’s association with Texpo, an IT infrastructure company with offices in the UAE, the USA, and Pakistan. Despite lacking expertise in information technology, the general claimed to have worked for Texpo immediately after his retirement. Efforts to contact Texpo’s CEO, Sarfaraz Alam, yielded no responses, leaving unanswered questions about the general’s role, qualifications, and remunerations.
The investigation also exposes alleged discrepancies in the acquisition of the London apartment in 2007, revealing that the general’s wife and son declared a purchase amount in 2017 that was half of what the Indian citizen had paid just a few months earlier. The intricate details of the ownership transfer, involving the offshore company Talah Limited, raise questions about potential financial irregularities and the role of General Musharraf in favoring the Indian businessman.
General says, Its Legitimate Purchases
The general’s response to these allegations includes claims of legitimate purchases, justifications for secrecy, and accusations of conspiracies. General Shafaat argues that declaring properties immediately after purchase is not of utmost importance, echoing sentiments about the reporting practices of other public figures. He defends his actions, stating that he possesses all details regarding the funds used to purchase the London apartment but refrains from sharing these specifics.
In addition to the alleged financial improprieties, Fact Focus investigations also uncover contradictions and false claims made by General Shafaat in his responses to media, ICIJ, and social media inquiries. The discrepancies range from the purpose of acquiring the London apartment to declarations made to tax authorities and military authorities.
The investigation concludes by emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability, especially among high-ranking military officials, and highlights the potential legal implications of the alleged financial improprieties. The findings underscore the importance of a thorough examination of the general’s financial transactions and assets, urging authorities to investigate the veracity of the claims and bring about clarity in a matter that raises significant concerns about financial integrity and ethical conduct at the highest echelons of Pakistan’s military leadership.
