BARCELONA/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Abdul Qadir Gilani fell victim to a brazen theft in Barcelona, Spain, where thieves snatched his gold-plated watch worth over Rs18.4 million before fleeing the scene.
Gilani, a member of the influential Gilani political dynasty, revealed that he had purchased the watch 13 years ago when gold prices were significantly lower. “Now its value has tripled,” he said, adding that the robbery occurred while he was with his family. His host in Barcelona was also robbed in the incident.
The MNA remained philosophical about the loss, stating: “As long as there is life, there is the world; such things come and go.”
The Gilani family of Multan is one of Pakistan’s most prominent political families. Abdul Qadir Gilani, along with his brothers Ali Musa Gilani and Qasim Gilani, are all current MNAs, while another brother, Ali Haider Gilani, serves as a Punjab Assembly MPA. Their father, Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, is a former prime minister.
In a rare twist, Ali Musa and Qasim Gilani—along with Ali Haider—were all born on the same day (April 10, 1986), making them one of the few sets of twin lawmakers in Pakistan’s history.
The family has faced scrutiny before. In August 2024, unverified claims surfaced that Yusuf Raza Gilani and his children had traveled to London using public funds. However, Ali Qasim Gilani denied the allegations, stating the trip was privately funded and did not burden taxpayers.
