Bahria Town CEO Named in Major Land Scam Case

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Bahria Town, one of Pakistan’s largest private real estate developers, is under intense legal scrutiny following the registration of a criminal case involving land encroachment, environmental violations, and unapproved commercial activities.

The case, lodged by Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Scheme Inspector Imran Hussain Jafri, names CEO Ali Riaz and several senior Bahria Town officials as primary suspects. The complaint, registered under the Punjab Development of Cities Act 1976, alleges widespread illegal activities tied to Bahria Town’s operations along the Soan River.

Rawat Police recently conducted a raid at Bahria Town’s Phase 8 regional office, where Engineer Saleem was taken into custody. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Bahria Town, allegedly on the instructions of its leadership, began landfilling near the Soan River without official permission. The development was promoted aggressively, and plots were sold without obtaining any no-objection certificates (NOCs) from relevant government departments.

Authorities claim the housing society released untreated sewage and chemical waste directly into the river, causing serious environmental degradation. Investigators say that despite being issued multiple warnings, Bahria Town management continued marketing the project and misleading potential buyers through false claims of legal clearance.

The Deputy CEO and General Manager of Customer Support were also identified in the FIR as co-accused, with evidence pointing to their involvement in facilitating unauthorized development and public misrepresentation.

The report further states that promotional materials were circulated widely on social media and mainstream platforms to create a false impression of legitimacy. These campaigns are now being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.

Currently, Ali Riaz and members of his family, who are reportedly residing in the United Arab Emirates, remain out of reach of Pakistani authorities. Calls for accountability have grown louder, especially from environmental groups and legal observers concerned about the precedent this case could set for real estate governance in the country.

Legal experts expect further arrests and court proceedings as law enforcement agencies gather more evidence. Bahria Town’s reputation, once associated with modern housing developments and large-scale urban planning, is now under severe public and institutional scrutiny.

The unfolding case raises critical questions about environmental responsibility, regulatory enforcement, and the unchecked expansion of private real estate ventures across Pakistan.
As the investigation continues, the future of Bahria Town’s ongoing and planned projects remains uncertain.