Syed Ali Qasim Gilani, a member of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the National Assembly and the son of former prime minister and Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, has stated that he and his family are on a private tour to London, covering all of their own costs and not costing any money from Pakistani taxpayers.
The Member of National Assembly (MNA) for the PPP from NA-148 (Multan-I) told local media that he and his family have been the target of false information, which purports that Yousaf decided to send his two MNA sons, Ali Qasim and Abdul Qadir Gilani, as well as his daughter Fiza Batool Gilani, to London at the government’s expense.
The Gilani family has achieved significant success in recent general elections, with Yousaf becoming a PPP senator, his three sons serving as MNAs, and his fourth son, Ali Haider Gilani, becoming an MPA.
Ali expressed regret that false and unconfirmed news articles had singled out his family.
“My wife is a British national, and my in-laws are based in London,” he stated.
“I attended school here ten years ago, and for more than fifteen years, as an opposition or government official, I have traveled to London each year. We’ve been traveling overseas for many years. We have never taken private travel paid for by the government.”
He promised to quit if its proven hat he was taking government-sponsored vacations in London. “I will resign from my seat if it’s proven I took taxpayer money.”
