NAB raids Bahria Town offices in Rawalpindi
ISLAMABAD, May 30,2024: A team from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), accompanied by Rawalpindi police, on Tuesday, conducted a raid on the offices of Bahria Town in Rawalpindi. While there was no official statement from NAB or other authorities, some officials within the accountability bureau confirmed the operation under the condition of anonymity.
NAB spokesperson Birj Lal stated, “The raid might have been conducted by NAB Rawalpindi, but I cannot confirm it.”
Sources indicated that the raid aimed to confiscate records related to the Al Qadir Trust case. Malik Riaz, the owner of Bahria Town, and his son Ali Malik, both currently in the UAE, have been declared proclaimed offenders in this case by an accountability court.
In response, Malik Riaz posted what appeared to be CCTV footage of the raid on X (formerly Twitter). The video showed several men in plainclothes searching through shelves and drawers in an office space. However, the authenticity of the footage as being from Bahria Town offices could not be independently verified. Riaz asserted on social media that he would not become an “approver” despite facing “oppression.”
In a follow-up tweet, Riaz claimed the “raid lasted for hours” and that nine employees were allegedly detained, along with office records and vehicles. He alleged that numerous Bahria Town properties and accounts were seized last month and called on the government to release his staff and return the “seized equipment.”
Last week, Riaz made a cryptic social media post, complaining of “pressure” to take a political side and financial losses, yet vowed not to be used as a “pawn for political motives.” This statement was unusual for Riaz, who is known for his extensive connections with political parties, media, and the country’s civil and military establishment.
Riaz’s past includes allegations of questionable land acquisition tactics for his luxury real estate projects. His firm has been embroiled in several court cases, including a recent Supreme Court order to pay dues to the Sindh government for land acquired for Bahria Town Karachi. ( Monitoring Desk)
