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Lahore, May 14: Former Pakistan cricket captain and Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan admitted that he resorted to an offshore company while buying the London apartment in 1983 to evade British taxes.
According to a report in Pakistan daily Dawn, Imran said that he formed the offshore firm on advice of his accountant during his playing days. “I was already paying 35 per cent tax on my income there, so to evade further taxes, I bought the flat through an offshore firm, which was my right as I was not a British citizen,” Imran told reporters during a chat at the London’s Heathrow Airport.
However, the fact that Imran had formed a ‘legal’ offshore company was also admitted by PTI spokesperson Naeemul Haq. He said that company was formed with the monet the cricketer earned by playing cricket. “I was Imran Khan’s bank manager in London at that time, his accountants formed this company to buy the London flat,” PTI spokesman was quoted as saying by The Times of India. He also added that when the flat was sold, Imran brought the money back to Pakistan through Habib Bank. (ALSO READ: Pakistan Information Minister criticizes PTI chief Imran Khan’s popularity abroad)
It may be recalled that the former Pakistan skipper had come down heavily on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family for owning and benefitting from offshore firms. He criticised Sharif after the ICIJ probe that led to the release of Panama papers disclosing offshore accounts of the rich and powerful people throughout the world.
Imran along with other opposition leaders, demanded the resignation of the prime minister until the issue is probed and a clean chit is obtained.
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