NAB cracks down on Bahria Town Karachi, vehicles seized in land scam probe

KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) raided Bahria Town Karachi and confiscated several cars in an ongoing investigation into the alleged illegal allotment of land.

The cars are being moved from Bahria Town to the NAB office for further investigation. This move pertains to a complaint filed against Bahria Town on the charge of illegal allotment of 17,671.87 acres of land, allegedly resulting in a loss of more than Rs 708.08 billion for the national exchequer.

NAB had earlier frozen the business properties of Bahria Town Karachi some months ago, and the probe was underway. Despite speculations of a possible deal, NAB sources have confirmed that no deal has been reached with Bahria Town, and actions are being taken as per law.

The bureau has also initiated a crackdown on Bahria Town fugitive suspects associated with its financial activities and is making efforts to repatriate them to face legal action in Pakistan.

The Sindh High Court has halted NAB from arresting two leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party, former Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Memon, in the Bahria Town Karachi land grab case. The trial court, however, can proceed against all other accused in the Rs708 billion graft reference.

As a related development, NAB has frozen 457 properties around Pakistan, including those of Ahmed Ali Riaz, son of Malik Riaz, and Bahria Town Pvt Ltd. The freezing order, which had a validity of 15 days, will remain valid until the accountability court gives its verdict.