ISLAMABAD: The disclosure of assets by Pakistani politicians as part of their general election nomination reveals lavish lifestyles that highlight class differences in the country, rights activists and academics claim.

“Our politics and political parties are captured by a social elite and, unfortunately, they promote their personal interests when elected to Parliament,” Farzana Bari, a leading human rights activist and academic, told Arab News.

People representing the status quo, including tribal chiefs, industrialists, businessmen and landlords, contest the elections and then “misuse the power to double and triple their wealth.”

Bari said Pakistan’s working class cannot even think of contesting a seat in the elections since this requires billions of rupees for the campaign.

“We have an elite form of democracy and this is only helping the rich to become richer,” she said.

The latest assets disclosures by politicians running for the July 25 general elections have revealed properties and possessions worth billions. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has revealed the assets of leading politicians to help voters make their representatives accountable.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), claims to have assets worth 1.5 billion rupees ($12.3 million) and his father Asif Ali Zardari owns assets worth around 758 million rupees. Likewise, Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, has assets worth 845 million rupees and chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has assets worth 38 million rupees.

Political analysts say the declared assets of leading politicians reveal “the facade of democracy” and explain the political dynasties in the country.

“Pakistan has a plutocracy, not a democracy,” Professor Tahir Malik, a political analyst, told Arab News.

The country’s electoral system discourages working class people from contesting elections and joining Parliament, he said.

“The system will be refined only when somebody raises a voice for the voiceless in he Parliament and legislation ensures a level playing field for all citizens,” he said.

Kanwar Dilshad, former secretary ECP, said that assets declared by the politicians in their nomination forms are grossly undervalued and “tantamount to mocking the poor people of this country.”

“No politician and political leader has declared the present value of his/her assets in the nomination forms and they must be held accountable for it,” he told Arab News.

Dilshad said the nation has a right to know their representatives’ assets and can hold them accountable after their term in the office if there is a major increase in the value of their properties and possessions.

“Any candidate who has hidden his assets details or made wrong declarations in the nomination forms could face a lifetime disqualification from holding any public office if caught at any stage during five-year term,” he said.