Bahria Town near shutdown amid severe crackdown by govt, says Malik Riaz

Malik Riaz, Chairman of Bahria Town, has warned that Bahria Town operations have been halted across Pakistan due to continued pressure from government institutions and freezing of assets.

In a statement on X, he claimed that dozens of Bahria Town employees have been arrested, all bank accounts have been frozen, and vehicles used by staff have been seized nationwide.

“The company’s financial system has collapsed, making it impossible to pay tens of thousands of employees. Essential services and maintenance across housing schemes have also been badly affected,” he asserted.

Malik Riaz said the company is now just one step away from fully shutting down operations in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and other cities where Bahria Town projects are located.

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— Malik Riaz Hussain (@MalikRiaz_) August 5, 2025

According to the chairman, 50,000 employees and millions of residents are impacted. Many senior staff remain missing, while all development and commercial activities have come to a halt.

He described the situation as a national crisis, stating that trillions of rupees invested by citizens have been frozen, and large-scale commercial projects have stopped midway.

Malik Riaz expressed deep regret to the residents of Bahria Town communities for service disruptions, saying their patience in these “cruel” times is greatly appreciated.

He emphasized that Bahria Town has contributed significantly to Pakistan’s economy through job creation, tax revenue, and the development of world-class housing societies in three major cities.

He appealed to state institutions to resolve the matter through dialogue and arbitration, pledging full cooperation with any decision taken through a legal and fair process.

Malik Riaz also promised that if arbitration demands financial compensation from Bahria Town, the company would ensure full payment as a show of loyalty to Pakistan.

He concluded by saying that despite hardships, the company’s commitment to Pakistan remains strong and that they are not willing to walk away quietly from serving the nation.