Malik Riaz Hussain, the founder of Bahria Town, has called on prominent Pakistani leaders to intervene amid what he describes as the coercive seizure and auctioning of the company’s assets. He highlighted serious concerns about threats to his family and the lack of accountability for the perpetrator, despite an FIR being registered and the High Court’s involvement.
In a detailed appeal, Malik Riaz drew attention to the treatment of Bahria Town and his family, cautioning that the ongoing attachment and forced sale of company properties at undervalued prices could have significant economic repercussions. He emphasized that numerous legal cases and judicial proceedings concerning these assets remain unresolved in competent courts.
The company stated that the sealing of its properties and suspension of business operations have caused considerable uncertainty among employees, investors, and allottees. It argued that the dispute extends beyond a private business grievance, as thousands of families have invested their savings in Bahria Town projects, and many workers, contractors, suppliers, and related businesses rely on its activities.
The appeal further revealed that Malik Riaz’s residence was under surveillance and that he received threatening messages targeting his life, with attempts to intimidate his wife and children. The situation escalated to the point where he felt compelled to leave Pakistan for the safety of his family. Although an FIR was initially filed regarding these threats, it was later cancelled. Subsequently, the High Court restored the FIR and issued a reasoned judgment, yet no independent investigation has taken place, and the individual named in the FIR remains at large.
Malik Riaz has called for a fair and impartial inquiry to uncover the facts surrounding these threats and surveillance. The appeal also made grave allegations concerning the treatment of other family members, including claims that his children were subjected to abduction, unlawful detention, and threats to their lives. It was also alleged that Malik Riaz’s brother was forcibly taken and remained missing for several months before being abandoned by a roadside in a severely ill condition.
Financially, the appeal highlighted that Bahria Town assets valued at a minimum of Rs238.6 billion have either been auctioned, seized, or are under threat of disposal. It criticized the distress sales of core assets, which were previously valued in the hundreds of millions or billions of rupees, pointing to a lack of transparency in the valuation and bidding processes.
The company warned that continued asset disposals could inflict irreversible financial harm, affecting allottees, investors, employees, and other stakeholders, potentially leading to prolonged legal disputes, financial losses, and increased instability in Pakistan’s real estate market.
Additionally, Bahria Town stated that development work worth approximately Rs372 billion is currently halted. This includes critical public infrastructure, utilities, and residential projects connected to thousands of workers, contractors, investors, and financial institutions. The appeal questioned how the company could fulfill its development obligations if its key financial resources are being seized and sold.
Reference was made to Bahria Town’s commitments before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, underscoring the company’s ongoing pressure to meet financial obligations while facing asset disposals that undermine its primary income streams.
The appeal also underscored Malik Riaz’s decades-long contributions to Pakistan’s economy, urban development, employment generation, and welfare initiatives, noting his role in pioneering large-scale, modern residential projects.
Malik Riaz urged that outstanding disputes be resolved through institutional dialogue rather than continued asset seizures. He advocated for a mutually acceptable settlement that would safeguard the properties and resources necessary to fulfill lawful obligations transparently, protecting the interests of the state, investors, allottees, creditors, and other stakeholders. Bahria Town emphasized that it is not seeking immunity or special concessions from the law.
