Barcelona, Spain – In a shocking street crime incident, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Abdul Qadir Gilani was robbed of his luxury gold-plated watch, valued at over Rs18.4 million, while visiting the Spanish city of Barcelona.
According to Gilani, the thieves struck swiftly, snatching the expensive timepiece before fleeing the scene. “I purchased it 13 years ago when gold prices were much lower. Today, its value is three times higher,” he said. “I was with my family, and the watch was in my hand at the time of the incident. My host in Barcelona was also robbed.”
The PPP leader remained calm about the loss, remarking, “As long as there is life, there is the world; such things come and go.”
The stolen watch’s current market value makes this one of the most costly street robberies involving a Pakistani political figure abroad in recent years.
Political Legacy of the Gilani Family
The Gilanis of Multan are a well-known political dynasty in Pakistan. Abdul Qadir Gilani, along with his brothers Ali Musa Gilani and Qasim Gilani, are sitting members of the National Assembly, while another brother, Ali Haider Gilani, serves as a PPP MPA in the Punjab Assembly. They are the sons of former prime minister and current Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.
Interestingly, Ali Musa, Qasim, and Ali Haider Gilani all share the same birthday — April 10, 1986 — making Ali Musa and Qasim twin brothers in the current assembly.
Past Controversies
In August 2024, unverified allegations surfaced claiming that Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, along with MNAs Abdul Qadir Gilani, Qasim Gilani, and their sister Fiza Batool Gilani, had used public funds for a family trip to London. However, PPP lawmaker Qasim Gilani strongly denied the claims, stating the visit was a private family affair “not costing a penny to the taxpayers.”
