Malik Riaz Warns Bahria Town May Halt Operations Nationwide as NAB Preps Property Auctions
Property magnate Malik Riaz has issued a stark warning: Bahria Town may have to suspend all its projects across Pakistan. He attributed the potential shutdown to an escalating crackdown by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), which has frozen all bank accounts, seized company vehicles, and detained dozens of staff members—bringing operations to a near standstill.
Riaz wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the company’s liquidity has been entirely disrupted, making it impossible to maintain day-to-day services or pay salaries to its tens of thousands of employees. He cautioned that the organisation is on the brink of complete closure, adding that conditions deteriorate by the minute.
Next in NAB’s Move: Property Auctions
In a related development, NAB has flagged that multiple high-profile Bahria Town properties tied to Malik Riaz are due for auction on August 7, 2025. This is part of a broader enforcement effort to recover defaulted sums linked to long-running corruption investigations.
Background: The Broader Crackdown
- Massive freezing orders and asset seizures: NAB previously froze around 457 immovable assets, including corporate and family-owned properties under Bahria Town Pvt Ltd and Ahmed Ali Riaz. These moves stem from allegations that government land—some 16,896 acres in Karachi’s Malir district—was unlawfully appropriated.
- Widespread sealing of Bahria Town projects: Hundreds of bank accounts, vehicles, and both residential and commercial developments in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, New Murree (Takht Pari), and beyond have been sealed under NAB orders. The bureau cites fraud, illegal land grabbing, and money laundering allegations across these cases.
- High-stakes legal references and absconding: NAB filed multiple references against Malik Riaz and his associates, including one involving the controversial £190 million Al‑Qadir Trust case, which has seen him labelled a “proclaimed offender.” Efforts are underway to secure his extradition from Dubai.
- Auction proceedings underway: Steps have commenced to auction seized assets, including cinemas, offices, wedding halls, Safari Villas and other Bahria Town infrastructure, to recover outstanding dues via Section 33E of the NAB Ordinance.
Analysis: What Lies Ahead?
Should Riaz’s claims prove true, the halting of Bahria Town’s operations would reverberate across Pakistan’s real estate sector. The corporation has historically been a major employer and developer; a closure would impact tens of thousands of workers, disrupt ongoing housing and commercial projects, and potentially leave investors in limbo.
The dispute also raises broader questions about regulatory oversight and property rights. If the asset seizures, freezing orders, and pending auctions persist, NAB’s moves could create a precedent for handling other non-compliant enterprises.
Summary Table
| Issue | Status |
|---|---|
| Operational status of Bahria Town | Severely limited; facing potential shutdown |
| Employees | Salaries and services disrupted; tens of thousands affected |
| NAB enforcement actions | Freezes on accounts, seizures of vehicles, asset sealing |
| Auction of properties | Scheduled for August 7, 2025 |
| Underlying investigations | Land grabbing, corruption, Al-Qadir Trust £190M scandal |
| Legal status of Malik Riaz | Declared absconder, extradition sought |
Bottom Line
Malik Riaz’s statement marks an intensifying phase of NAB’s crackdown on Bahria Town and its leadership. The auction of assets and the operational threats paint a picture of a company under siege. For investors, employees, and Pakistan’s real estate ecosystem, the unfolding situation warrants close attention.
