Malik Riaz, the embattled real estate tycoon and founder of Bahria Town, has announced the closure of Bahria Town’s operations in Pakistan following his prolonged legal troubles with the government.
In a Facebook message, the property tycoon said harsh actions taken by certain government institutions have paralyzed Bahria Town’s operations across the country.
“Today, with immense regret and sorrow, I wish to inform you that over the past few months, due to the extremely harsh actions taken by certain government institutions — including arrests of dozens of our senior members, freezing of all company bank accounts, seizure of staff vehicles, and other severe measures — the operations of Bahria Town across the country have been gravely paralyzed,” Malik Riaz wrote.
He said that Bahria Town’s cash flow has completely collapsed, making it impossible to provide daily services.
— Malik Riaz Hussain (@MalikRiaz_) August 5, 2025
“We are no longer able to pay salaries to our tens of thousands of employees, and conditions have deteriorated to such an extent that we have been forced to completely shut down all Bahria Town activities across Pakistan. We want to take one step back from this last measure, but circumstances on the ground are worsening with every passing moment,” he added.
He further said that this situation has crippled the basic structure of this institution, which comprises fifty thousand hardworking individuals, not to mention many contract employees.
“We sincerely apologize to our millions of residents and esteemed builders who are facing distress due to our compulsion. I thank all the affected families — despite such harsh conditions, you have not let go of patience and resilience,” he said.
Also read: NAB to auction Bahria Town’s properties on Aug 7 amid legal battle
It is worth mentioning that Malik Riaz is facing an intensified crackdown by Pakistani authorities. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has frozen hundreds of Bahria Town bank accounts, seized senior employees’ vehicles, and moved to auction dozens of Bahria Town properties to recover outstanding liabilities from past settlements. Investigations center on allegations of illegal land acquisition, corruption, and misuse of government resources.
Riaz also remains entangled in the £190 million UK-National Crime Agency settlement case—under renewed scrutiny in Pakistan as part of the broader Al-Qadir Trust investigation. Amid growing financial and legal pressure, Bahria Town’s nationwide operations have reportedly ground to a halt, and the government has initiated steps to seek Riaz’s extradition from the UAE on fraud and money laundering charges.
