Pakistan’s largest private real estate developer is now pleading with the country’s top general. The Bahria Town crackdown has escalated to the point where the company has formally asked Field Marshal Asim Munir to step in and stop the ongoing auction of its assets.
Bahria Town’s Appeal to Field Marshal Asim Munir
Bahria Town (Private) Limited sent a formal appeal to Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, asking him to intervene against the sale of its properties. The letter was signed by Vice Chief Executive and Acting CEO Commodore (r) Muhammad Ilyas.
- The company wants an “independent, transparent and impartial” review of the auction process
- It claims commercial buildings, land and infrastructure are being sold far below market value
- Bahria Town insists it is not seeking immunity — only a fair process
Why Malik Riaz Is Under Pressure: The Roots of the Crackdown
The Bahria Town crackdown did not appear overnight. It stems from years of investigation by Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) into founder Malik Riaz Hussain over allegations of money laundering and the use of state land for private housing schemes.
Courts have since declared Hussain and members of his family proclaimed offenders after they failed to appear before accountability courts.
That non-appearance triggered attachment and public sale orders for Bahria Town assets under Sections 87 and 88 of the Criminal Procedure Code — the legal mechanism NAB is now using to auction properties.
Rs. 372 Billion on the Line: What Bahria Town Told the Army Chief
In its letter, Bahria Town put a number on the stakes: roughly Rs. 372 billion belonging to ordinary citizens, salaried employees and overseas investors is tied up in projects now caught in the auction dispute. The company argues the fast-paced sell-off is unsettling Pakistan’s wider investment climate.
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“This matter is no longer confined to one institution; it has become a matter concerning the confidence, investments, homes, livelihoods, businesses and future of millions of Pakistani citizens,” the company said in the appeal, according to a copy shared with local media.
The £190 Million Case Behind the Bahria Town Crackdown
At the heart of the legal storm is a 2019 settlement between Malik Riaz and the UK’s National Crime Agency, in which he agreed to hand over roughly £190 million linked to alleged corrupt proceeds.
Those funds were later connected to the Al-Qadir Trust scandal, which also implicates former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife.
- Malik Riaz has been declared an absconder in the Al-Qadir Trust reference
- His passport, along with those of his son Ali Riaz and other associates, has reportedly been blocked
- A separate reference against son-in-law Zain Malik triggered part of the current asset sales
- Hussain, believed to be based in the UAE, calls the cases “politically motivated”
Auction Timeline: How NAB Has Sold Off Bahria Town Assets
NAB’s sell-off has moved in stages, with courts repeatedly weighing in after Bahria Town challenged the process.
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| June 2025 | Islamabad High Court briefly stayed a planned auction |
| Aug 7, 2025 | IHC dismissed petitions; auction proceeds — Corporate Office II sells for Rs880.6m, Rubaish Marquee & Lawn for Rs508.3m |
| Aug 8, 2025 | One sealed property sold; two more draw conditional bids worth Rs2.27 billion combined |
| Mid-2026 | Fresh rounds of auctions announced on an “as is, where is” basis |
| July 2026 | Bahria Town appeals directly to Field Marshal Asim Munir |
Properties including Arena Cinema, Bahria Town International Academy and Safari Club remain scheduled for future sale, with no confirmed date yet announced.
Two Sides of the Story: NAB, the Government and Malik Riaz
Officials defend the process as lawful accountability. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has alleged that the Federal Investigation Agency uncovered evidence of a large money-laundering operation, including roughly Rs1.12 billion moved abroad through a hospital allegedly used as a front.
Malik Riaz tells a different story. He has said frozen bank accounts, sealed properties, seized vehicles and detained staff have crippled Bahria Town’s cash flow, at one point warning the firm could be forced to shut down operations nationwide.
Analysts tracking the case describe the current military leadership as taking an unusually firm line, with even presidential-level attempts at mediation reportedly failing to produce a settlement.
What Comes Next for Bahria Town and Its Investors
The Bahria Town crackdown now sits at an unusual intersection of business, courts and the military establishment. Field Marshal Asim Munir responds to the company’s appeal — or leaves the matter entirely to NAB and the courts — will shape what happens to billions of rupees in investor money.
For now, three key questions remain open:
- Will the army chief order any review of the auction process?
- Can Malik Riaz reach a settlement, given past mediation attempts have failed?
- What happens to investors who bought into Bahria Town projects now tied up in litigation?
Do you think the army chief should intervene in a matter that’s currently before Pakistan’s courts, or should the accountability process run its course untouched?
