Hasan Nawaz declared deliberate tax defaulter in UK

Hasan Nawaz, the son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has been added to the UK government's list of "deliberate tax defaulters." This announcement came nearly a year after he was declared bankrupt by a UK court. The UK’s HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) published the list on Tuesday. It includes individuals and companies penalized for making intentional errors on their tax returns or for failing to meet their tax obligations. Hasan Nawaz’s name is second on the list, which is organized by the amounts owed. As a property developer, Hasan Nawaz has been identified with addresses including Avenfield House and 1 Hyde Park Place. The property at Hyde Park is well-known due to a significant settlement involving property tycoon Malik Riaz. Records show that Nawaz purchased this property for £42 million in 2016 and it was reportedly sold the same year. He is listed as having a tax liability of £9.3 million, along with a penalty of £5.2 million for the period between April 2015 and April 2016. The UK government's policy aims to deter tax evasion by publishing the details of those who owe significant amounts. HMRC believes that making this list public will discourage tax defaults. However, a 2018 report indicated that the effectiveness of this measure as a deterrent was limited due to a lack of awareness. In April 2024, Hasan Nawaz was officially declared bankrupt following a petition from HMRC due to unpaid taxes. The bankruptcy order was issued after a creditor’s petition was filed in August 2023. The HMRC often takes such actions for tax liabilities.