Islamabad 10 August: Bahria Town founder Malik Riaz has warned that Pakistan’s largest private real estate developer may be forced to shut down operations nationwide, citing “unprecedented pressure” from government agencies.
In a detailed statement posted on his official X account, Riaz alleged that dozens of staff members have been arrested, all company bank accounts frozen, vehicles seized, and other “stringent measures” taken against the firm, leaving operations paralyzed across the country.
“Our cash flow has been completely destroyed. It has become impossible to provide daily services, we are unable to pay the salaries of our tens of thousands of staff, and the situation has reached a point where we are being forced to completely shut down all Bahria Town activities,” Riaz said.
He called for dialogue and a dignified solution, pledging to participate in arbitration and fully abide by its decision, including paying any amount required.
Scale of the Crisis
Riaz said the measures had crippled an institution employing 50,000 people, halted development projects, and suspended maintenance and community services. He warned that trillions of rupees in investments from Karachi to Islamabad were frozen, while commercial projects worth hundreds of billions remained incomplete.
“This situation is no less than a serious crisis for the economy of our beloved country,” he said, apologizing to millions of residents and stakeholders and noting that thousands of families were suffering from uncertainty and mental distress.
READ MORE:NAB to Auction Six Bahria Town Properties
FACT BOX: Key Points from Malik Riaz’s Statement
- Staff Impact: 50,000 employees affected; many senior staff missing.
- Operations: All bank accounts frozen, vehicles seized, dozens of arrests.
- Projects: Development halted; maintenance and community services suspended.
- Investments: Trillions of rupees frozen; hundreds of billions in incomplete projects.
- Appeal: Calls for dialogue, arbitration, and willingness to pay any required amount.
TIMELINE – Bahria Town Crisis
- May 2024 – NAB revives investigation into £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case.
- June 2025 – Islamabad High Court dismisses petitions to stop auction of Bahria Town properties.
- August 2025 – Malik Riaz warns of imminent nationwide shutdown, citing government pressure.
- August 2025 – NAB moves ahead with the auction of six Bahria Town properties in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
- August 2025 – Bahria Town files appeal in Supreme Court challenging legality of auctions.
