The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has recovered 204 kanals and three marlas of land worth billions of rupees illegally transferred from the Official Employees Cooperative Housing Society Ltd to Bahria Town Lahore. The land in Mauza Manak and Mauza Bhai Kot in Tehsil Raiwind, Lahore, had been returned to its rightful owner following an investigation.
NAB’s inquiry found officials from the Official Employees Cooperative Housing Society Ltd, the revenue department, and Bahria Town Lahore collaborated to transfer the valuable land unlawfully. Assistant Registrar (Housing-V) Jahanzeb Akbar identified and reported the fraudulent activity, facilitating NAB’s timely recovery of the property. The NAB chairman commended Akbar’s proactive intervention in a letter of appreciation, which the bureau forwarded to the Punjab chief secretary.
NAB continues investigating the roles of implicated officials and Bahria Town Lahore, seeking details of the illegal transfer process. The bureau has not clarified under which administration—PTI, Mohsin Naqvi’s caretaker government, or PML-N—the transfer took place.
Malik Riaz and Bahria Town Under Scrutiny
This recovery marks another significant step in NAB’s ongoing scrutiny of property tycoon Malik Riaz and Bahria Town since the PML-N assumed power. Currently residing in the UAE, Riaz faces an absconder status in the Al-Qadir Trust case connected to the repatriation of £190 million through the UK’s National Crime Agency. NAB actively seeks his extradition through Interpol and has frozen several Bahria Town assets, alleging unlawful occupation of public and private lands.
Read: Malik Riaz Denies NAB Claims and Expands Business with Dubai Project
NAB has advised the public against investing in Bahria Town projects, including the upcoming ‘Bahria Town Dubai,’ warning of money laundering risks and potential legal consequences. “Investing in these projects could result in criminal proceedings,” NAB cautioned.
The recovered land highlights significant systemic issues within Pakistan’s real estate sector, where influential entities frequently face accusations of land grabbing. NAB’s proactive stance demonstrates a crackdown on such illegal activities, aiming to restore public trust and safeguard cooperative societies. Assistant Registrar Akbar’s timely action underscores the critical importance of vigilant oversight to expose and prevent fraud.
