NAB names Malik Riaz, Qaim Ali Shah in 18,000-acre Karachi land case

The National Accountability Bureau has alleged that about 18,000 acres of Malir Development Authority land in Karachi was transferred to Bahria Town in violation of the law, and has named 33 people, including the developer's chairman Malik Riaz and two former Sindh ministers, in a reference now before an accountability court in Karachi, according to Minute Mirror.

The report, citing sources familiar with the investigation, said the land was meant for public welfare and affordable housing but was handed to Bahria Town during 2013-14 through an arrangement described as land adjustment, exchange and consolidation. NAB sources told the outlet that Bahria Town was to provide replacement land to the Sindh government in return, but that what was offered instead was barren, hilly and inaccessible ground near the Balochistan border.

Survey of Pakistan figures cited in the report put the total area in Bahria Town's possession at 25,601 acres. Of that, 7,220 acres were said to have been exchanged illegally in February 2015, and 1,644 acres recorded in Jamshoro were identified as government land. Those figures differ from the roughly 18,000 acres the bureau is said to have flagged.

According to the report, the Supreme Court's May 4, 2018 judgment had already declared the land exchange illegal. NAB's investigation officer also told the Supreme Court about 59 unauthorised water bores said to be extracting 1.7 million gallons a day, and dues of Rs5.5 billion owed to MDA.

Loss estimates differ. Minute Mirror said one assessment put the loss to the national exchequer at Rs708.08 billion and another at about Rs783 billion. Both figures are attributed to sources and neither has been independently verified.

Those nominated in Reference No. 01/2025 include Malik Riaz, his son Ahmed Ali Riaz, Bahria Town vice chairman Zain Malik, former Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, former senior minister Sharjeel Memon, and former revenue officials, MDA officials, Sindh Building Control Authority directors and district administration officers. Sources told the outlet that some of those named still hold positions in the Sindh government.

Minute Mirror reported that Malik Riaz and his son have been declared proclaimed offenders, with perpetual arrest warrants issued against them and Interpol red notices said to have been issued in April 2026. NAB announced in January 2025 that it had frozen 457 properties, including assets in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and a luxury residence in Karachi.

The bureau has said those accused of wrongdoing should return to Pakistan and face proceedings. The case is separate from the Rs460 billion settlement the Supreme Court approved in 2019 covering 16,896 acres, which Bahria Town reportedly did not pay in full. Pakistan Observer also carried a journalist's claim that undisclosed Bahria Town files naming ministers, journalists and former servicemen had reached NAB; the newspaper attributed the claim to the journalist and gave no further details.