Usman Buzdar’s meteoric rise to ‘billionaire’ status raises eyebrows

ISLAMABAD: Former Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar has reportedly transformed into a billionaire over the last five years. The revelation comes as details of his assets were scrutinised by an investigative team, shedding light on a significant surge in his wealth.

Five years ago, Usman Buzdar’s total assets amounted to a modest eight lakh rupees (Rs 0.8 million). However, recent findings indicate a staggering growth, with his assets soaring to 45 kanals of land over the last three years alone. Within two years, Buzdar amassed a remarkable portfolio, including 3,900 kanals of land, 15 plots, high-value vehicles, and a substantial increase in his bank balance, documents obtained by HUM Investigation Team revealed.

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Documents submitted by Buzdar during the 2018 elections revealed assets valued at Rs 762,000. Fast forward to 2024, and the former chief minister declared his assets at a whopping Rs 5.5 billon in the nomination papers. The current market value of his assets, including extensive land holdings, is estimated to be around four billion rupees, with the total value of all assets, real estate, gold, vehicles, and livestock reaching Rs 35 million.

The documents further highlight Usman Buzdar’s strategic land acquisitions, including 1,698 kanals at Rs 13,000 per kanal in Khaniwal and plots in DG Khan and Taunsa Sharif. Additionally, he has procured vehicles worth about Rs 20 million.

Buzdar’s assets in 2018 comprised 95 kanals of land in Mauza Amdani, a 36 marla plot, an 8 marla house in Greenview Multan, among other properties. Over the fiscal years 2019 to 2021, he continued to augment his holdings, adding 163 kanals of land, which became his property in Mauza Choti and Mouza Barathi Mouza Manwani.

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Responding to the scrutiny, Usman Buzdar’s brother, Jafar Khan Buzdar, asserted that the family’s assets have been acquired through legitimate means. He revealed that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is currently investigating the entire family’s assets.

Jafar emphasised that Usman Buzdar was unaware of his father’s assets, which were discovered posthumously. He hinted at further revelations, citing an ongoing process of distributing ancestral property.