Tag: Bahria Town

  • NAB raids Bahria Town office Rawalpindi

    NAB raids Bahria Town office Rawalpindi

    A team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has raided Bahria Town’s Rawalpindi office on Tuesday, initiating an investigation into irregularities in the property conglomerate.

    SAMAA TV reported that an investigation has been initiated on Bahria Enclave land, and the land, which was given by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for a zoo, is now under inspection. The anti-graft watchdog team raided the Bahria Town office in Rawalpindi to take records into custody.

    Informed sources told SAMAA that the NAB team stayed at the Bahria Town office for more than two hours, confiscating crucial data, including files of multiple housing projects and other important records.

    During the raid, the anti-graft watchdog team retrieved digital evidence and data from computers.

    Police officials and elite personnel were also with the NAB team during the raid.

    The NAB team will investigate the land of Bahria Enclave and wrongdoings in the attainment of all the lands of Bahria Town.

  • Corruption reference filed against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi

    Corruption reference filed against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed a corruption reference against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and other suspects in the £190 million settlement case.

    The reference was submitted by NAB’s Deputy Prosecutor General Muzafar Abbasi and investigative officer Umar Nadeem in an accountability court in Islamabad, with the registrar’s office currently examining the document.

    Besides former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former First Lady Bushra Bibi, the reference names several other suspects, including Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf (PTI) leaders Zulfi Bukhari, Shahzad Akbar, lawyer Barrister Zia-ul-Mustafa Nazeer, and three others, totaling eight individuals.

    The filing of the reference comes days after the federal cabinet gave the go-ahead to conduct the jail trial of the PTI chairman in corruption cases.

    According to The News, the cabinet summary, moved by the Ministry of Law and Justice, was approved via circulation.

    The anti-graft watchdog had requested the ministry to allow the trial to be held in Adiala jail considering the law and order situation.
    The ministry had already issued a notification on the trial of the PTI chairman in the £190 million National Crime Agency (NCA), UK, and Toshakhana case in prison.

    According to the notification issued by the ministry on Nov 28, the concerned accountability court will sit at and conduct the trial of the suspects in the Central Prison, Adiala.

    “The federal government is pleased to accord approval that the accountability court concerned shall sit and conduct the trial of the accused (PTI chairman and former PM) and others in Central Prison, Adiala, with reference to the case regarding misuse of authority/ illegal sale of gifted state assets, etc. under Section 16(b) of NAB Ordinance, 1999,” the notification said.

    The case

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, Imran Khan, along with his wife Bushra Bibi and other PTI leaders, is currently embroiled in a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) inquiry linked to a settlement between the PTI government and a prominent property tycoon, Malik Riaz. The case involves allegations of corruption amounting to billions of rupees and reportedly resulted in a loss of £190 million to the national exchequer.

    Adjustment of Funds:

    Imran Khan and other accused are charged with adjusting Rs50 billion (£190 million at the time) sent by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Pakistani government. This fund adjustment is said to be part of an agreement with Malik Riaz.

    Undue Benefit and Land Acquisition:

    Khan and Bushra are accused of receiving undue benefits, including over 458 kanals of land at Mouza Bakrala, Sohawa. This land was allegedly obtained to establish Al Qadir University.

    Seizure of Assets in the UK:

    During the PTI government, the NCA seized assets worth £190 million from Malik Riaz in Britain. The NCA stated that these assets would be passed to the government of Pakistan.

    Approval of Settlement:

    Then-Prime Minister Imran Khan sought approval for the settlement with the UK crime agency from his cabinet on December 3, 2019, without disclosing the details of the confidential agreement. It was decided that the money would be submitted to the Supreme Court on behalf of Malik Riaz.

    Establishment of Al-Qadir Trust:

    Subsequently, the Al-Qadir Trust was established in Islamabad a few weeks after the PTI-led government approved the agreement with Malik Riaz. Notable figures such as Zulfi Bukhari, Babar Awan, Bushra Bibi, and her close friend Farah Khan were appointed as members of the trust.

    Land Transfer and Trust Ownership:

    Two to three months after the cabinet’s approval, Malik Riaz transferred 458 canals of land to Zulfi Bukhari, a close aide of the PTI chief, who later transferred it to the trust. Bukhari and Awan eventually opted out as trustees, and the trust is now registered in the names of Khan, Bushra Bibi, and Farah.

    NAB Investigation:

    NAB officials were initially probing the alleged misuse of powers in the recovery of “dirty money” received from the UK crime agency. Following the emergence of “irrefutable evidence,” the inquiry was converted into a full-fledged investigation.

  • Kya Malik Riaz ka interview Imran Khan ko muskhkil mein daal sakta hai?

    Kya Malik Riaz ka interview Imran Khan ko muskhkil mein daal sakta hai?

    Pakistan is watching a wave of interviews and the latest twist in this unfolding drama has been disclosed by senior journalist Javed Chaudhry in a recent vlog, hinting that Malik Riaz, a property tycoon, is poised to unravel a series of explosive revelations in the days to come.

    Javed Chaudhry’s vlog, providing a sneak peek into an upcoming interview with Malik Riaz, outlined three key points that are expected to rock the political landscape.

    First and foremost, the interview is anticipated to shed light on the staggering Rs460 billion penalty imposed on Bahria Town by the Supreme Court. Riaz is expected to reveal what Saqib Nisar got in return for favors. He will also delve into the details of the 460 billion rupees fiasco.

    Furthermore, the property tycoon is predicted to make startling claims regarding the 2014 protest, alleging that influential figures orchestrated the demonstration to unseat then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

    The revelations will also cover how the sit-in was sponsored and from where and how food was provided.

    Riaz will also talk about why he advised Nawaz Sharif to leave the country for three months after his resignation.

    Riaz is also anticipated to discuss his role in preventing a collaborative effort between Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif against Imran Khan, shedding light on the intricate dynamics that shaped Pakistan’s political landscape.

    Riaz will also openly talk about who played what role during Imran Khan’s government and how they all benefited from it.

    While specific details of the upcoming interview were not disclosed by Chaudhry, he expressed confidence that Malik Riaz’s revelations would be nothing short of bombshells, suggesting a turbulent period ahead for Pakistani politics.

  • We cannot even take Malik Riaz’s name on TV: Khawaja Asif

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif talked about tax evasion in the country on Wednesday and said that 500 billion tax evasion is taking place in the real estate sector.

    While giving a speech in the National Assembly, Asif said that from the real estate sector, people like Malik Riaz cannot even be named on television.

    He went on to say that Riaz is also involved in the £190 million case but we can not take his name.

    Former Prime (PM) minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are being questioned by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for aiding Malik Riaz in the settlement of £190 million seized by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.
    Imran and Bushra Bibi are accused of receiving benefits from Malik Riaz by granting him the settlement of £190 million.

  • Imran Khan arrest kyun huvay hain?

    Imran Khan arrest kyun huvay hain?

    In an unexpected development, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has been arrested from inside Islamabad High Court (IHC) by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) today (Tuesday).

    NAB bought arrest warrants with them, which were issued by the accountability watchdog’s Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmad Butt on May 1. As per details, Khan was taken into custody under Section 9A of the National Accountability Ordinance 1999. 

    According to Islamabad police, Imran has been arrested in a case in which Bahria Town allegedly gave land worth Rs530 million to Khan and Bushra Bibi’s Al-Qadir Trust in return for a settlement.

    What is the Al-Qadir Trust case?

    In 2019, more than £190m of assets were seized from Malik Riaz by National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK.

    Later, NCA returned this amount to Pakistan’s national treasury, however, the Khan-led cabinet of the time decided to submit millions of pounds to Supreme Court on behalf of Malik Riaz.

    A few weeks later, the Al-Qadir Trust was founded by Khan, Bushra Bibi, Zulfi Bukhari, and Babar Awan. Malik allotted 458 kanals to them to establish a university that apparently has only 35 students.

    However, according to senior journalist Kamran Khan, the former Prime Minister (PM) was arrested for making accusations against the top brass in the army including Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.

    Earlier, Khan made serious allegations that General Faisal Naseer plotted his assassination. Later, when Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) condemned his words, he said that he can prove that ISI took over the judicial complex in Islamabad to murder him.

  • NAB summons real estate tycoon Malik Riaz to reveal £190 million settlement

    NAB summons real estate tycoon Malik Riaz to reveal £190 million settlement

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has asked real estate magnate Malik Riaz and close aides of PTI Chairman Imran Khan to appear before court on December 1 in a case relating to a £190 million (Rs50 billion) settlement.

    According to Profit, the owner of Bahria Town Malik Riaz was asked to appear before a joint investigation team of the anti-corruption watchdog on December 1 at 11 am at the bureau’s Rawalpindi headquarters, according to a NAB letter.

    “Call-up notice to the persons acquainted with facts of the case under section 19 of the National Accountability Ordinance-1999, inquiry against holders of public office and others qua misuse of authority, financial gains and criminal breach of trust in recovery of crime proceeds received from the UK and illegal sealing of its record,” the notice stated.

    It claimed that Ali Riaz Malik and others had entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement with Britain’s National Crime Agency for the repatriation of funds to the government of Pakistan following an investigation into allegations of abuse of power, financial gain, and criminal breach of trust.

    Imran and his wife were accused by Rana Sana Ullah of getting substantial amounts of land from Bahria Town property owners.

    Malik Riaz has been demanded to provide full records regarding the acquisition of 458 kanals in Tehsil Sohawa, the agreement by which Bahria Town donated land to Al Qadir Trust along with revenue documents, and information regarding any other property that he or any of his relatives transferred in favour of Al Qadir Trust or any of its trustees.

    Unverified reports claim that Imran Khan’s wife serves as one of the trustees. The real estate tycoon was informed that disobeying this notification could result in legal repercussions under NAO 1999.

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah revealed a secret arrangement between the NCA and Malik Riaz’s family members (referred to as “the counter parties”) in June of this year.

    In order to defend the real estate company in a case involving money laundering, he had charged Imran Khan and his wife of collecting Rs5 billion and hundreds of kanals of land from Bahria Town.

    A £190 million settlement offer that includes a UK property, 1 Hyde Park Place, London, W2 2LH, was accepted by the NCA in December 2019. All of the money, which had a value of almost £50 million, ended up in Malik Riaz’s blocked accounts.

  • Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Zardari to be new neighbours?

    Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Zardari to be new neighbours?

    Former President Asif Ali Zardari has reportedly bought two bungalows of 14 kanal in one of the elitist areas of Gulberg in Lahore, reports The News.

    According to media reports, discussions to purchase another bungalow of 6 kanal for residential purposes in Lahore are ongoing. This bungalow is situated in front of PPP’s rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s house near Gaddafi Stadium.

    If the deal finalises, Zardari and Qureshi would become neighbours. It is pertinent to mention that Qureshi left PPP in 2011 after almost two decades of serving under the leadership of Benazir Bhutto. Since then, he is on bitter terms with PPP.

    Zardari and his son Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s current residence in Baharia Town in Lahore will be converted into a farmhouse.

    Earlier, the former president hinted at buying a residence in Gulberg so that he can hold more meetings with people, as it gets difficult for people to come to his residence in Bahira Town.

    Stronghold in Punjab

    According to Geo Urdu, Zardari is currently in Islamabad. However, he will later visit Lahore and hold meetings to discuss the political crisis in Punjab.

    Prior to this, the PPP co-chairman claimed that his party will form the next government in the Centre after winning the next general elections.

    “The next government (in the Centre) will be the PPP’s. I promise if I get a chance to return to power, I will turn around Pakistan 110 degrees. The PPP has the capability to help the country negotiate all the challenges,” said Zardari.

    Talking about politics in Punjab, Zardari said, “The PPP has to sacrifice its politics to save Pakistan. I will myself look into the party affairs in Punjab and ensure its revival here.”

    “We will strengthen our party in Punjab and ensure we get our fair share in the province,” he said.

    Criticising former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Zardari said that the policies of the “anokha laadla” (favourite) had caused price hike and inflation in the country.

    The PPP is currently ruling Sindh, where it is in power for the third time in a row, while it is also a major stakeholder in the incumbent federal government.

  • Malik Riaz and son’s 10 years UK visit visa revoked due to possible corruption

    Malik Riaz and son’s 10 years UK visit visa revoked due to possible corruption

    United Kingdom (UK) courts have decided to revoke a 10-year multi-entry visit visa to real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, and his son Ahmed Ali Riaz.

    Lady Justice Nicolas Davies, in her judgment against the appeal of Riaz and his son, wrote, “Whilst there has not been a criminal conviction against you I am satisfied on probabilities that you have been involved with corruption and financial/commercial misconduct.”

    “As a result, having regard to the UK’s commitment to combat corruption and financial crime, I believe that your exclusion from the UK is conducive to the public good due to your conduct, character, and associations,” wrote Justice Nicolas.

    The UK High court on Malik Riaz case cited, “The appellants [Malik Riaz and Ahmed Ali] have been involved with corruption and financial/commercial misconduct was founded on their involvement in the affairs of a company, Bahria Town. The company is wholly owned and run by the appellant’s family and is described as the largest property developer in Asia. At all relevant times, Mr Malik was the Chairman of Bahria Town, Mr Ali was the CEO.”

  • Lahore restaurant sealed after dead rat found in shawarma

    Lahore restaurant sealed after dead rat found in shawarma

    The Dolphin Squad in Lahore has sealed a local eatery in Bahria Town Lahore, near the ‘Eiffel Tower parking’ when a family eating there found a dead rat inside a shawarma sandwich.

    Saleh Saleem posted about the horrific incident on Facebook, stating that his 10-year-old niece was about to eat the Middle Eastern dish but before taking a bite, found the rat in her meal. “These people are playing with the lives of people and also have the audacity to argue about it,” Saleh said in his post.

    Saleh also stated that the dolphin squad sealed the restaurant and a ‘key witness’ helped to get the restaurant sealed.

    Watch what Saleh’s mother had to say to the chef after they told him about the rat.

  • Malik Riaz shuts down Aap News

    Malik Riaz shuts down Aap News

    Bahira Town chairman and property tycoon Malik Riaz has shut down Aap News due to “unavoidable legal and technical reasons”, an e-mail to the channel’s staff revealed on Saturday.

    The broadcast of the news channel will stop today.

    Furthermore, as mentioned in the email, “The administration has decided that salaries of all employees for March will be paid on April 14 and 15 while the payment of salaries for the notice period between April 11 and May 11 will be paid on April 21 and 22.”

    Riaz will use his licencing rights to launch a new channel where employees of Aap News will be hired on a “priority basis”.

    The email further stated that employees would receive 50 per cent of their monthly salaries on the 5th of each month for the next three months.