Islamabad: In a sweeping anti-corruption crackdown, Pakistani authorities have filed fresh cases against property tycoon Malik Riaz and Bahria Town, exposing a vast network of land fraud, illegal acquisitions, and financial crimes. Investigators have uncovered irrefutable evidence that thousands of kanals of state land in Rakh Takht Pari and New Murree were unlawfully incorporated into Bahria Town’s projects through forged documents, bribery, and political collusion. Sources privy to the probe told The Scoop that these fraudulent land transfers, which deprived the national exchequer of billions, were facilitated by high-ranking officials and influential politicians who had long protected Riaz’s empire.

Authorities have intensified their legal pursuit of those linked to these illicit dealings, with investigators revisiting cases involving former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi. While his name has surfaced in multiple corruption probes, officials suspect his tenure played a crucial role in facilitating key approvals that allowed Bahria Town’s controversial expansion. Parvez Elahi has already been indicted in separate corruption cases, with investigators now examining whether his government’s policies directly enabled land grabbing on behalf of real estate developers.

Meanwhile, scrutiny has also increased on Moonis Elahi, who remains a proclaimed offender in a separate corruption case. Officials believe that illicit funds generated from real estate deals were laundered through offshore accounts tied to him, prompting further inquiries into financial networks linked to Bahria Town’s overseas operations. Law enforcement agencies have frozen his assets and bank accounts as part of their broader efforts to dismantle corruption networks operating within Pakistan’s real estate and political elite.

The crackdown has also extended beyond national borders. The Interior Ministry has revoked the passports of Malik Riaz, his son Ali Riaz, and other key associates to prevent them from fleeing justice. Additionally, diplomatic efforts are underway to secure Riaz’s extradition from the United Arab Emirates, where he has been residing since 2023. Investigators are now focusing on Bahria Town’s financial dealings in Dubai, amid growing concerns of money laundering tied to its international real estate ventures.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has warned investors against engaging in Bahria Town’s projects, citing substantial legal and financial risks. As Pakistan’s accountability drive gains momentum, authorities appear determined to dismantle the entrenched nexus between political power and corporate corruption. With overwhelming evidence surfacing, legal experts suggest that this crackdown may mark the beginning of the end for some of the country’s most powerful figures, including those who have long operated with impunity.