The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has formally reassured Bahria Town residents and investors that their legally owned properties and investments remain secure, amid heightened speculation, legal uncNAB Reassures Bahria Town Residents: Properties and Investments Remain Safe Amid Legal Actionrtainty, and volatile market conditions surrounding one of Pakistan’s largest real estate developers.
In a statement issued Monday, NAB rejected rumors that individual property owners could lose their assets, calling the speculation “a deep conspiracy” designed to trigger panic and drive down prices. According to the Bureau, its current actions are directed solely at properties owned directly by Bahria Town and do not apply to homes or plots held by private individuals.
“NAB will leave no stone unturned to protect the rights of Bahria Town residents,” the statement read, urging citizens to ignore false narratives and report any attempts at harassment or misinformation.
Panic following Auctions and Malik Riaz’s warning
Investor confidence was shaken last week after NAB began auctioning Bahria Town properties as part of ongoing legal proceedings linked to the £190 million settlement involving PTI founder Imran Khan and other figures. While these auctions are aimed at recovering funds through a court-approved plea bargain, the fallout has extended beyond the developer’s balance sheet.
Tensions escalated after Bahria Town founder Malik Riaz, one of Pakistan’s wealthiest and most influential businessmen, issued a stark warning, stating that the company’s operations across Pakistan were on the verge of shutting down.
“Our cash flow has been completely destroyed,” Riaz said in a public message. “It has become impossible to provide daily services, and we are unable to pay the salaries of our tens of thousands of staff.”
According to Bahria Town, more than 50,000 employees have been affected nationwide. Projects across major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, are either stalled or struggling to stay afloat. Riaz claimed bank accounts were frozen, vehicles impounded, and staff arrested, all contributing to what he described as “an environment of operational paralysis.”
He called for arbitration to resolve the issues and promised compliance with any binding decisions, including financial restitution. “If the arbitration requires payment, we will ensure it is made, God willing,” he added.
Market Activity slows as uncertainty grows
Despite fears of a price collapse, property rates in Bahria Town have not crashed — at least not yet. However, market activity has slowed significantly, and realtors expect a prolonged period of caution.
In a recent BBC Urdu report, several real estate agents expressed concern that the crisis could lead to a shutdown of property transfer services. “If Bahria Town’s offices close, all plot and house transfers will come to a halt until an alternative system is in place,” one dealer warned.
Another realtor observed that the prolonged legal uncertainty has already prompted many investors to offload their holdings. New investment has dried up, and existing stakeholders are bracing for what could be a turbulent few months.
NAB Clarifies its position
NAB maintains that its enforcement efforts are narrowly focused on developer-owned assets and are being carried out without external pressure. “The Bureau is committed to pursuing legal proceedings until the looted money is returned,” the agency said.
The statement emphasized that Bahria Town homeowners are considered victims of earlier fraud and will not be targeted. NAB also acknowledged the psychological toll on affected families and committed to safeguarding their legal rights throughout the process.
While the outcome of ongoing inquiries remains uncertain, NAB’s latest clarification is an effort to calm market nerves and reassure residents that the government does not intend to destabilize private ownership within Bahria Town communities.