Farah Gogi’s wealth witnessed ‘staggering rise’ during 2017-20
Farhat Shahzadi, also known as Farah Gogi and purportedly associated with former prime minister Imran Khan, and a close friend of former first lady Bushra Bibi, has reportedly witnessed a significant surge in her assets from 2017 to 2020, according to a report by Express News.
In 2020, Farah declared assets worth Rs950 million, but her undisclosed assets amounted to a staggering Rs3.82 billion. During these three years, her visible assets increased by 420%, while her undisclosed assets saw an astounding surge of 15,300%.
It's important to note that these assets are in her personal ownership and separate from those of her husband, Ahsan Jamil Gujjar, and other relatives or stakeholders, according to the report.
According to records from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Farah holds shares in several companies, including Gousiya Builders (SMC Private Limited), Al Baraq Housing Private Limited, Al Baraq Foods Private Limited, among others.
Records also reveal that on December 3, 2019, the UK's National Crime Agency returned £190 million to the PTI government under an out-of-court settlement with a renowned property tycoon. Allegedly, in exchange for this, Farah was granted 240 kanals of land in the housing scheme of the property tycoon, which is suspected to have been a bribe. In return, the PTI government reportedly refrained from pursuing a case amounting to Rs460 billion.
It is further alleged that with the assistance of Imran Khan, Farah benefitted from the tax amnesty scheme announced by the PTI government in 2018. "Black money" worth over Rs489 million, purportedly obtained as bribes for various postings, transfers, and government contracts, was regularised through the scheme.
In addition to these allegations, Farah, a friend of the former first lady, is also implicated in money laundering, adding another layer to the ongoing investigation.
The corruption allegations appear to extend beyond Pakistan, as Farah and her husband are said to have served as directors at Gold Star Euro Private Limited, posing as doctors.
The investigation has revealed that the number of her bank accounts in Pakistan increased from 2019 to 2021, with one account seeing Rs426 million deposited over four years. Investigators claim to have traced 102 bank accounts linked to Farah, her husband Gujjar, and their business partners, totaling over Rs14 billion.
Meanwhile, PML-N leader Attaullah Tarar, addressing the media at the party's secretariat in Lahore's Model Town, has alleged that Farah and her husband, in collaboration with Bushra Bibi, played a significant role in the PTI government's operations. He claimed that rates for contracts and transfers were fixed during the PTI government's tenure and accused Imran Khan of introducing the tax amnesty scheme to legitimise Farah's "black money".
Tarar further alleged that Usman Buzdar was appointed Punjab chief minister not because of a lack of electricity at his residence but due to his association with Farah, who, in turn, was connected to Bushra. Tarar claimed that together, they transformed Buzdar into a figurehead chief minister, asserting, "I respect Usman Buzdar, but he deviated from the standards set by Shehbaz Sharif in Punjab."
Tarar revealed that when it became evident that a vote of no-confidence against Imran Khan was likely to succeed, the PTI chairman sent Farah Gogi and her husband abroad.
While acknowledging societal concerns about the imprisonment of women, Tarar insisted that considering the evidence, Bushra Bibi should face legal action. He also called for the NAB to conclude cases against Usman Buzdar, emphasising that he should be held accountable as well.
Source: The Express Tribune
