PPP MNA’s Pricey Watch Stolen in Barcelona

An opulent, gold-plated watch, valued at over Rs18.4 million, was pilfered from Abdul Qadir Gilani, a Member of the National Assembly representing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), in Barcelona, Spain. The perpetrators absconded after the snatching.

“I acquired it 13 years prior, when gold rates were substantially lower; presently, they’ve tripled,” stated Abdul Qadir Gilani. “I was accompanied by my family, and the watch was in my possession,” he mentioned, adding that his Barcelona host was also a victim of robbery.

The PPP legislator commented, “As long as one is alive, the world continues; such incidents occur.”

The considerable worth of the stolen watch, bought well before the surge in gold prices, positions this crime as one of the most expensive street thefts impacting a Pakistani public figure on foreign soil in recent years.

Gilani Family’s Prominent Political Presence

The Gilani family of Multan holds significant prominence in the political landscape. Abdul Qadir Gilani, Ali Musa Gilani, and Qasim Gilani, all brothers, currently serve as members of the National Assembly. Qasim Gilani is a recently elected MNA.

They are the offspring of Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, the former prime minister who currently holds the position of Senate Chairman. Another brother, Ali Haider Gilani, is a PPP MPA within the Punjab Assembly.

In an interesting coincidence, MNAs Ali Musa and Qasim, together with Ali Haider, share the same birthdate, April 10, 1986. This makes the current National Assembly unique by housing twins, Ali Musa and Qasim.

In August 2024, unsubstantiated claims arose, alleging that Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, along with MNAs Ali Qasim and Abdul Qadir, and their sister Fiza Batool Gilani, traveled to London using public funds.

PPP representative, Ali Qasim, clarified that the trip was strictly a private matter, financed by the family, and imposed “not a single penny” on Pakistani taxpayers.