Properties Tied to Bahria Town Founder to Go Under the Hammer
ISLAMABAD – The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of Pakistan has announced it will auction several high-value properties belonging to real estate magnate Malik Riaz on August 7, 2025. The auction is part of a broader crackdown linked to a money laundering investigation involving the founder of Bahria Town, one of the country’s most prominent private housing developers.
The auction will take place at NAB’s Rawalpindi office and at a designated location in Sector G-6/1, Islamabad, according to an official NAB press release.
Prime Bahria Town Assets Listed for Auction
The properties set to be auctioned include some of Bahria Town’s key assets in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. According to NAB officials, the following properties will be sold to the highest bidder:
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Corporate Office located in Phase 2 of Bahria Town, Rawalpindi (Plot No. D-7, Park Road)
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Additional commercial plot in the same area (Plot No. E-7, Park Road)
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Rubbish Marquee and Lawn, a popular event venue located in Bahria Garden City, near the golf course
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Other properties within Bahria Town, Islamabad, also form part of the auction list
These locations are known for their high market value, given Bahria Town’s reputation for upscale urban planning and facilities.
Background: The Bahria Town Money Laundering Case
The auction is the latest move in a long-running investigation that has shaken Pakistan’s real estate and political circles. Malik Riaz, often regarded as one of the most influential businessmen in the country, is under scrutiny for alleged money laundering and illegal asset accumulation.
In March 2025, NAB had sealed numerous residential and commercial properties connected to Riaz in various cities, including:
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Karachi
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Lahore
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Takhte Pari (a locality near Rawalpindi)
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New Murree Golf City
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Islamabad
These actions were part of efforts to recover allegedly laundered funds and assets obtained through illicit means.
High-Profile Arrests and Ongoing Investigations
So far, ten individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, including two retired military officers. Their names have not yet been publicly disclosed, but their detention has raised significant attention due to the traditionally strong ties between the military and real estate sectors in Pakistan.
A dedicated investigation team has been set up by NAB to probe the financial transactions, offshore accounts, and asset transfers allegedly involved in the money laundering network. The case is being handled at NAB’s Rawalpindi branch, known for overseeing major corruption and white-collar crime investigations.
Malik Riaz: From Tycoon to Target
Malik Riaz rose to prominence through the expansion of Bahria Town, which became synonymous with luxury gated communities in Pakistan. The company introduced modern infrastructure, private security, and lifestyle amenities that were previously rare in Pakistani real estate developments.
Despite his business success, Riaz has faced repeated legal challenges over land acquisitions, irregular construction permissions, and alleged political connections. In 2019, he settled a case with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) by agreeing to hand over £190 million in assets, including a high-end London property. That money was repatriated to Pakistan, although its final use remains a matter of public debate.
Legal Proceedings and Public Reaction
The upcoming auction has sparked mixed reactions in the media and among the public. Some view it as a significant step towards accountability in Pakistan’s elite circles, often seen as beyond the reach of the law. Others, however, remain skeptical, pointing to previous cases where asset seizures and investigations fizzled out without meaningful consequences.
Legal experts say the auction will only result in lasting financial accountability if the proceeds are transparently recovered and reinvested into public welfare or returned to victims, if any.
What Happens Next?
With the auction scheduled for August 7, potential buyers, legal representatives, and stakeholders are watching closely. NAB has not disclosed the estimated value of the assets, but real estate analysts estimate that the combined worth could run into billions of Pakistani rupees.
Whether this move leads to further indictments, financial recoveries, or policy changes in Pakistan’s real estate sector remains to be seen. For now, the case serves as a reminder of the entangled web of business, politics, and accountability that continues to shape Pakistan’s justice system.
