Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cautions public against investing in Bahria Town’s Dubai project: Govt launches inquiry into deceptive practices by Malik Riaz, and will reach out to UAE for his extradition
By Ghulam Haider
In a nation perpetually grappling with corruption, power dynamics, and the exploitation of state resources, Malik Riaz Hussain so far has stood out as a glaring symbol of impunity. The self-styled magnate of Bahria Town, Malik Riaz has long wielded his clout like a scepter, navigating the murky waters of Pakistani politics, judiciary, and military with ease. His empire, built on the controversial acquisition of government and private lands, is not just a real estate phenomenon but a testament to how deeply entrenched corruption can flourish under the guise of development and progress.
Malik Riaz’s rise to power is not a tale of sheer entrepreneurial success but one of calculated alliances and strategic investments in people rather than just projects. His connections span across the highest echelons of power in Pakistan, from political leaders to bureaucrats, from military generals to senior judges. These relationships have been meticulously cultivated, ensuring that Bahria Town’s interests are safeguarded, no matter which government is in power.
Over the years, Malik Riaz has allegedly used his vast resources to secure the loyalty of influential figures. Reports of retired Supreme Court judges, army generals, and intelligence officials being hired on exorbitant salaries are not mere speculations but an open secret. This network of high-profile “advisors” has not only legitimized his operations but also provided a shield against legal scrutiny and public accountability.
Political, Judiciary, Military, Media Connection: A Web of Mutual Benefit
The modus operandi of Bahria Town is a masterclass in exploiting systemic loopholes. From Karachi to Rawalpindi, from Murree to Peshawar to Jamshoro, the story is eerily similar. State-owned lands, often acquired at throwaway prices or through dubious means, are converted into sprawling housing societies. Private landowners, too, have not been spared, with allegations of coercion, deceit, and outright land grabbing surfacing repeatedly.
Despite numerous legal battles and court orders, Malik Riaz’s empire has continued to expand. The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in the Bahria Town Karachi case, which ordered the company to pay billions to the Sindh government for illegally acquired land, was seen as a rare instance of judicial accountability. Yet, even this judgment has done little to curtail the tycoon’s ambitions or his operations in other cities.
The judiciary in Pakistan has played a complex role in the rise of Malik Riaz and Bahria Town. While there have been instances where the courts have ruled against him, the broader picture reveals a troubling pattern of judicial leniency or outright collusion. The hiring of retired Supreme Court judges by Bahria Town raises critical questions about the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. These judges, often employed on lucrative contracts, lend an air of legitimacy to Malik Riaz’s ventures, effectively insulating him from legal challenges.
The Bahria Town Karachi case is a prime example of the judiciary’s struggle to hold Malik Riaz accountable. Despite the Supreme Court’s order for Bahria Town to pay a hefty sum for illegally acquired land, the enforcement of this judgment remains questionable. The delays and loopholes in implementing the court’s decision underscore the challenges of tackling powerful figures like Malik Riaz, who have mastered the art of navigating legal complexities.
The involvement of retired military officials in Bahria Town’s operations is another layer in Malik Riaz’s protective shield. Pakistan’s military establishment, known for its influence over civilian institutions, has often been accused of providing a cover for Malik Riaz’s activities. Retired generals and intelligence officials employed by Bahria Town not only offer strategic advice but also serve as intermediaries in dealing with the government and regulatory bodies.
This symbiotic relationship benefits both parties. For Malik Riaz, it ensures a degree of immunity from state scrutiny, while for the retired military officials, it provides lucrative post-retirement opportunities. The military’s implicit or explicit support for Malik Riaz is indicative of the broader issue of civil-military relations in Pakistan, where business interests often overlap with national security concerns.
Malik Riaz’s ties with political parties across the spectrum have been a cornerstone of his success. His ability to maintain good relations with successive governments, regardless of their political affiliation, is a testament to his strategic acumen. From the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Malik Riaz has ensured that Bahria Town’s interests are aligned with the ruling party’s agenda.
This political patronage is not without cost. Malik Riaz has been known to fund political campaigns and offer financial support to politicians in exchange for favorable treatment. This quid pro quo arrangement undermines the democratic process and perpetuates a culture of corruption where business interests dictate public policy.
The media’s coverage of Malik Riaz and Bahria Town presents a mixed picture. On one hand, there are investigative journalists who have exposed the underhanded dealings and fraudulent practices associated with Bahria Town. On the other hand, there are media outlets and journalists who have been accused of accepting financial incentives from Malik Riaz to present a favorable image of his ventures.
This dual role of the media highlights the challenges of ensuring transparency and accountability in a country where press freedom is often compromised by economic and political pressures. The media’s complicity, whether through active collaboration or passive silence, has played a significant role in allowing Malik Riaz to operate with relative impunity.

A Legacy of Fraudulent Practices
Malik Riaz is a symptom of a larger malaise that afflicts Pakistan – the unholy alliance between power, money, and impunity. His story is not just about one man’s rise to power but about a system that enables and perpetuates corruption at the highest levels. The case of Bahria Town is a litmus test for Pakistan’s commitment to accountability and justice.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has described Malik Riaz’s activities as a series of fraudulent schemes, duplicitous in nature, and deceitful to the public. The modus operandi involve selling plots and files in yet-to-be-developed or non-existent projects, raking in billions from unsuspecting investors. These schemes are often marketed with the allure of luxury and modernity, promising a lifestyle that is a far cry from the reality faced by those who invest their hard-earned money.
So finally Malik Riaz, the contractor, the uncrowned king of the political, media, judicial, bureaucratic realm in Pakistan, is on the skewer. At least that’s what the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) says. Will be interesting to see who will take over his famed Bahria Town if NAB presses ahead with “confiscations”.
Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has cautioned the public on investing in Bahria Town’s new real estate project in Dubai, adding that the government will reach out to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to seek extradition of property tycoon Malik Riaz – the owner of Bahria Town — through legal avenues.
Recently, Bahria Town introduced the first international project in Dubai South, near Al Maktoum International Airport, with flexible payment plans, making luxury and convenience accessible to people from all walks of life.
The development comes on the heels of Pakistan’s former prime minister and founder of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and his spouse’s conviction in the Al-Qadir Trust case in which Contractor Malik Riaz and his son are also co-accused and proclaimed offenders. As PTI and legal experts pointed to the need for accountability for all those involved, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had said that consultation was ongoing on how to bring the other absconders back.
In a press release issued Tuesday, the NAB said: “Malik Riaz is residing in Dubai, UAE. He has recently launched a project for the construction of luxury apartments in Dubai, UAE. The general public at large is hereby advised and warned to refrain from investing in the stated project. If the general public at large invests in the stated project, their actions would tantamount to money laundering, for which they may face criminal/ legal proceedings.
“The government of Pakistan is reaching out to the government of UAE for the extradition of Malik Riaz through legal channels.”
The NAB recounted that he was currently an absconder in the Al-Qadir Trust case and wanted by the court with the watchdog already having frozen innumerable assets of his and Bahria Town.
The watchdog said it was conducting inquiries and investigations against the Bahria Town owner and his associates for “fraud, deceptive practices and cheating public at large”. It said it had “cogent and credible information about the fact that Malik Riaz and his accomplices have not only illegally possessed/occupied state-owned land but also land belonging to private persons situated at Karachi, Takht-Pari, Rawalpindi and New Murree.
“He is using these lands for developing housing societies without obtaining mandatory/required regulatory permissions/no objection certificates and has committed fraud against the state and general public at large to the tune of billions of rupees. Malik Riaz is a fugitive in the NCA case and is wanted by both the courts and NAB.”
The NAB alleged that the property tycoon was developing housing societies under the name of Bahria Town “in a duplicitous manner” in other cities including Peshawar and Jamshoro by “illegally possessing/occupying land” and failing to procure the same mandatory regulatory permissions and legal documents.
It added that he continued to “defraud the general public at large by selling them plots/files in these illegal housing societies” despite neither he nor Bahria Town having a “good/clear title” to any of the lands in “these illegal housing societies”.
Last year in May, the property tycoon had complained in an uncharacteristic cryptic post that he was facing “pressure” to take a political side and was facing financial losses, but vowed not to be used as a “pawn for political motives”.
He has many past cases alleging the use of land acquisition tactics for his real estate projects. He and his firm have also been at the centre of multiple court cases; most recently being ordered by the Supreme Court to pay the amount the real estate developer owed to the Sindh government for the acquisition of land for Bahria Town Karachi. The property tycoon — who is considered well-connected with political parties, media and the country’s civil and military and judicial establishments — has not yet addressed the statement by the NAB.
The NAB has already frozen numerous assets of Bahria Town (Pvt.) Ltd. and Malik Riaz. It has announced plans to seize more assets belonging to property tycoon, who is currently residing in Dubai as a fugitive from justice. Malik Riaz occupied land in the name of Bahria Town in multiple cities and continues to collect large sums of money from unsuspecting investors through fraudulent schemes.
In May 2024, NAB authorities accompanied by Rawalpindi police, had raided the offices of Bahria Town in Rawalpindi, without any official word from NAB or other authorities. The intent behind the raid was to confiscate record related to the Al Qadir Trust case. Malik Riaz and his son Ali Malik, who were in the UAE, had already been declared proclaimed offenders in the Al-Qadir Trust case by an accountability court.
In response to this development, the controversial property tycoon took to X (formerly Twitter) to post what appeared to be a CCTV video of the purported raid, in which several men in plainclothes could be seen milling about, going through shelves and drawers in an office space. The tycoon, however, reiterated on social media that he would not become an “approver” despite “oppression”.
In a subsequent tweet, he claimed the “raid lasted for hours” and that nine of his employees were allegedly taken away, along with office records and vehicles. He alleged that many Bahria Town properties and accounts were seized last month and urged the government to “release” his staffers and return the “seized equipment”.
In a cryptic post on social media, the property tycoon, who has a chequered history, complained that he was facing “pressure” to take a political side and was facing financial losses, but vowed not to be used as a “pawn for political motives”. The statement was out of character for the Bahria Town owner, who is considered extremely well-connected with political parties, media and the country’s civil and military establishment.
His past is littered with cases alleging the use of questionable and high-handed land acquisition tactics for his opulent real estate projects. He and his firm have also been at the centre of multiple court cases; most recently being ordered by the Supreme Court to pay the amount the real estate developer owed to the Sindh government for the acquisition of land for Bahria Town Karachi.
DubaiNews.Tv contacted a number of political experts and politicians, but nearly everyone was reluctant to comment on his ‘sad tale’, saying he had not disclosed who he was holding responsible for his woes, and the reason why he was being pressured.
It is widely believed that Malik Riaz was referring to Al Qadir Trust/University case, which was filed by NAB against PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. They were the main accused in the £190 million corruption case. The case alleges that while PM, Imran Khan and his spouse obtained 450 kanal land from Bahria Town Ltd to legalise Rs.50 billion, which was identified and returned to the country by the UK authorities.
On Jan 9, an accountability court froze the properties of five co-accused in the case including Malik Riaz and his son Ahmed Ali Riaz, who were declared proclaimed offenders for failing to join investigations.
In his message on X, Malik Riaz said: “All my life, Allah has always guided me to stand by my principle of not taking any political side or being used by one party against the other. For over a year now, I’ve been under immense pressure to compromise, but I’ll never allow anyone to use me as a pawn for political motives.”
This, he claimed, had been a recurring pattern of victimisation against him and his business for introducing state-of-the-art projects in Pakistan. “From 1996 till today, I’ve been ‘punished’ for contributing towards the progress of the country. I have faced such pressures in the past with absolute grit and strength. Even today, in a personal capacity, I can say with utmost certainty, ‘over my dead body’”, he added.
“Despite my ailing condition and distress, I’m standing firm in the face of this adversity, bearing financial business loss daily and being pushed to the wall completely, but will not surrender to any pressure tactics. Allah will guide and help me through this tough phase with dignity,” he said.
The recent warning issued by NAB against Bahria Town’s new project in Dubai underscores the international dimension of Malik Riaz’s operations. It is not just a national issue but a transnational one, where the tycoon continues to exploit legal and regulatory gaps to expand his empire beyond Pakistan’s borders.
The Al-Qadir Trust case is perhaps the most significant legal challenge Malik Riaz faces today. The case, which also implicates former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, revolves around the alleged laundering of £190 million through a dubious land deal. Malik Riaz’s role as a co-accused and his subsequent declaration as a proclaimed offender highlight the gravity of the charges against him.
This case is not just about financial corruption but also about the nexus between politics and business in Pakistan. It reveals how political patronage and business interests are intertwined, with Malik Riaz often emerging as the common denominator in these murky dealings.
Malik Riaz’s public statements, where he claims to be a victim of political victimization, paint a picture of a man under siege. However, his critics argue that these statements are a strategic ploy to deflect attention from his questionable dealings and to portray himself as a martyr of progress and development.
His recent lamentations about being pressured to take political sides and facing financial losses are seen as a calculated move to gain public sympathy. The narrative of being a pawn in the political game is difficult to digest, given his track record of using political connections to his advantage.
The Social Impact: Displacement and Deception
The social impact of Bahria Town’s expansion is profound and far-reaching. The displacement of communities, both urban and rural, is a recurring theme in the development of Bahria Town projects. Land that is often acquired through coercion or deception displaces families, disrupts livelihoods, and erodes the social fabric of affected areas.
The promises of modern amenities and a better quality of life are often hollow. Many investors find themselves trapped in a cycle of false promises and delayed developments, with little recourse for legal redress. The social cost of Bahria Town’s expansion is a poignant reminder of how unchecked corporate greed can devastate communities and undermine social cohesion.
Malik Riaz’s foray into international real estate, particularly in Dubai, signals a new chapter in his business empire. The launch of Bahria Town’s project in Dubai South near Al Maktoum International Airport is marketed as an opportunity for luxury living with flexible payment plans. However, the NAB’s warning against investing in this project underscores the risks associated with Malik Riaz’s ventures.
The international dimension of Malik Riaz’s operations complicates efforts to hold him accountable. His presence in Dubai, a jurisdiction with its own legal complexities, poses a challenge for Pakistani authorities seeking his extradition. The global nature of his business interests necessitates a coordinated international response to ensure that justice is served.
The Moral Dilemma: Development vs. Accountability
The narrative surrounding Malik Riaz is often seen as a stark choice between development and accountability. Advocates for Bahria Town argue that its projects have introduced modern infrastructure, housing, and economic growth to Pakistan. However, critics contend that these advancements come with a heavy toll, involving legal and ethical breaches.
This dilemma mirrors a larger debate in Pakistan about the role of private enterprise in national development. While the need for infrastructure and housing is undeniable, the methods employed to achieve these objectives must withstand scrutiny. The ends cannot justify the means, particularly when they involve the exploitation of public resources and the undermining of legal principles.
Malik Riaz and Bahria Town serve as a crucial test for Pakistan’s dedication to justice and accountability. The intricate web of political, military, judicial, and media connections that Riaz has woven poses a significant challenge for those pursuing accountability. Yet, it also presents an opportunity for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to combating corruption and upholding the rule of law.
The actions of the NAB and the government’s efforts to extradite Malik Riaz from the UAE are under close watch. The outcome will not only influence the future of Bahria Town but also set a precedent for governance and accountability in Pakistan. Riaz’s story is a cautionary tale about how power and privilege can be wielded to evade justice, serving as a reminder that no one should be above the law.
As NAB intensifies its investigations and the government pursues extradition, Riaz’s legal challenges are far from over. Asset confiscation and bank account freezes mark the beginning of what could be a protracted legal battle. However, given Pakistan’s history with accountability, skepticism remains about whether justice will prevail. Malik Riaz’s entrenched influence and adept navigation through legal and political hurdles have long ensured his survival. Whether this time will be different is yet to be determined.