Syed Ali Qasim Gilani, a Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has emphasized that his family’s visit to London is private and self-funded, countering allegations of taxpayer money misuse. Ali Qasim, son of former Prime Minister and Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, stated that his family has been falsely accused of using government funds for their travel.
In an interview with Geo News, Ali Qasim addressed the fake news that claimed the entire Gilani family was in London at the government’s expense. These allegations targeted Yousaf Raza Gilani for purportedly taking his MNA sons, Ali Qasim Gilani and Abdul Qadir Gilani, and daughter Fiza Batool Gilani to London on taxpayer money.
The Gilani family has a notable history in Pakistani politics. Yousaf Raza Gilani is a PPP senator, with three of his sons serving as MNAs, and his fourth son, Ali Haider Gilani, is a member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA). Ali Qasim expressed regret over the media’s dissemination of unverified and misleading news about his family.
He clarified that his wife is a British national and that his in-laws reside in London. He mentioned that he studied in London a decade ago and has visited the city annually for over 15 years, regardless of his political standing. Ali Qasim underscored that his family’s international travel has always been privately funded and never at the government’s expense. “We have never used government money for our private travel,” he affirmed.
Furthermore, Ali Qasim offered to resign from his parliamentary seat if it is proven that he has used government funds for his London visit. “I will resign from my seat if it’s proven I took the government money,” he stated, challenging the veracity of the accusations.
Ali Qasim also accused his political opponent, Mehr Bano Qureshi, of making baseless allegations against him during a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) event in the House of Lords, alongside Zulfi Bukhari. He recounted that Mehr Bano claimed she lost the election due to rigging, while ignoring the fact that her father, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, lost to the Gilanis in 2018 but secured a seat through alleged fraud. Ali Qasim pointed out that despite substantial investment by her brother against them, the people of Multan trusted the Gilanis and voted for them. He criticized Mehr Bano for allegedly aligning with anti-Pakistan MPs and tarnishing Pakistan’s image, deeming it unacceptable.
Fiza Batool Gilani, Yousaf Raza Gilani’s daughter, shared that her visit to London was for her son’s graduation from King’s College. Expressing her pride, she wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Today, my heart swells with pride as my son Mohammad Asfandyar graduates from King’s College, Alhamdolillah! Your hard work & perseverance have culminated in this incredible achievement. As a single mother, witnessing your success is a profound joy. Congratulations, my son!”
During his visit to the UK, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the United Kingdom. In a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Commons, HE Lindsay Hoyle, Yousaf highlighted the historical and cultural ties between the two nations. He noted that these long-standing bonds have paved the way for deeper political, diplomatic, and economic relationships, as well as enhanced people-to-people contacts.
Yousaf Raza Gilani was accompanied by Senators Agha Shahzeb Durrani, Faisal Salim Rehman, Ashraf Ali Jatoi, and MNAs Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani and Syed Qasim Ali Gilani. He also acknowledged the significant role of the Pakistani diaspora in the UK, describing them as a bridge that fortifies the partnership between Pakistan and the UK.
The Senate Chairman brought attention to the issue of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), appreciating the efforts of British MPs in highlighting human rights abuses in the region within the UK Parliament. He underscored the importance of British MPs’ role in advocating for the rights of the Kashmiri people.
In summary, the Gilanis’ visit to London is entirely self-financed, and allegations of using government funds are unfounded. The family’s long-standing tradition of private international travel remains consistent, and their commitment to serving Pakistan is unwavering.
