Major Crackdown on Financial Crimes

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) intensified their joint investigation into alleged financial misconduct by raiding Bahria Town offices in Islamabad. Officials confirmed the seizure of sensitive records and the arrest of staff members, marking a decisive move against suspected networks operating under the cover of the real estate conglomerate.

Link to Malik Riaz and Associates
According to investigators, initial evidence indicates the existence of a sophisticated hawala-hundi and money laundering system allegedly connected to property tycoon Malik Riaz and his son Ali Riaz. The network reportedly involved transactions spanning decades and across multiple jurisdictions.

Magnitude of the Alleged Laundering
The FIA disclosed three major cases tied to Bahria Town:

• 2016 – Jan 2025: Transactions totaling Rs 1.58 trillion.
• 2015 – Mar 2025: A separate case involving Rs 1 billion.
• 2005 – 2015: An additional Rs 24 billion allegedly laundered.

These figures underline the magnitude of illicit flows, placing Bahria Town at the center of one of Pakistan’s largest financial crime probes.

NAB Reopens Cases
With the discovery of benami properties worth hundreds of billions, NAB has decided to reopen pending cases against Bahria Town that had previously stalled. Officials stressed that this new evidence strengthens the prosecution’s ability to pursue convictions and reclaim misappropriated funds.

Ongoing Proceedings

FIA and NAB announced that daily hearings and investigations will now be conducted to expedite the process. Authorities reiterated their commitment to tackling corruption and ensuring accountability, stating that no individual would be above the law.