On August 11, 2025, thieves stole a gold-plated watch valued at over Rs 18.4 million from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Abdul Qadir Gilani in Barcelona, Spain, before fleeing the scene.
Gilani, who was with his family at the time, stated, “I bought it 13 years ago when gold was cheaper; now it’s three times higher.” This incident, one of the most expensive street crimes involving a Pakistani public figure abroad, also resulted in the robbery of Gilani’s host.
Reflecting on the loss, Gilani stated, “As long as there is life, there is the world; such things come and go,” showing resilience despite the significant theft. The watch’s value, amplified by soaring gold prices, underscores the incident’s severity, drawing attention to safety concerns for prominent figures travelling abroad.
یوسف رضا گیلانی جن کی تنخواہ حال ہی میں بڑھا کر دو ملین کی اور جنوری سے ادا کر دی اس کے غریب بیٹے ممبر اسمبلی عبدالقادر گیلانی کی 56ہزار یورو کی گھڑی جو پاکستانی تقریباً دو کروڑ بنتے بارسلونا سپین میں کوئی لوٹ کر بھاگ گیا ہے آپ زرا اسلامی ٹچ چیک کیججے کہ یہ گھڑی بھی شرعی مجبوری… pic.twitter.com/G15SSKkPJW
— RAShahzaddk (@RShahzaddk) August 11, 2025Abdul Qadir Gilani is a member of the influential Gilani dynasty in Multan and one of three brothers serving in the National Assembly. His siblings, Ali Musa and Qasim Gilani, are also members of the Assembly; they are the sons of former Prime Minister and Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani. Their brother, Ali Haider Gilani, is a PPP Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) in Punjab. Notably, Ali Musa and Qasim, who were born on April 10, 1986, are twins, making them a unique presence in the current Assembly.
In August 2024, unverified claims emerged suggesting that Yusuf Raza Gilani, Abdul Qadir, Qasim, and their sister Fiza Batool Gilani used public funds for a trip to London. Qasim clarified that the visit was privately funded and stated that it “did not cost a penny” to taxpayers, addressing concerns about transparency.
The theft highlights risks faced by public figures abroad and the Gilani family’s prominence in Pakistani politics. It also underscores the need for clarity amid financial allegations.
