Court dismisses petitions to stop Bahria Town property auction

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has rejected all petitions seeking to halt the auction of Bahria Town properties, clearing the way for the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to proceed with the sale.

Earlier on Monday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had reserved its verdict on petitions challenging the planned auction of Bahria Town properties.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had earlier this year issued a public notice to auction six properties in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The move came after chairman Malik Riaz and his son Ali failed to pay the amount agreed upon under a plea bargain to settle the £190 million case.

The IHC had initially halted the auction by issuing a stay order. However, last month, NAB approached the court, requesting the stay to be lifted so the auction process could proceed.

Read more: NAB sets date for auctioning of Malik Riaz’s properties

On  Tuesday, a division bench headed by Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar issued a short order allowing NAB to auction the seized properties of Bahria Town.

The case is linked to the £190 million settlement, in which Malik Riaz and his son Ali Malik allegedly failed to pay the amount agreed under a plea bargain.

Following the court’s decision, NAB is now authorised to auction six Bahria Town properties located in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on August 7.

Among the properties listed for auction is the Bahria Town Corporate Office II, situated at Plot No. 7-D on Park Road in Phase II of Bahria Town, Rawalpindi. Another corporate office, located at Plot No. 7-E on the same road and phase, is also part of the auction. The list further includes Rubeish Marquee and Lawn, positioned in Bahria Garden City near the Garden City Golf Course in Islamabad. NAB also announced that the Arena Cinema, located on Plot No. 984-Broad-A in Phase IV of Bahria Town, Rawalpindi, will be auctioned.

Additionally, Bahria Town International Academy, a school building near Jasmine Street and Silver Oaks Road in Safari Villas I, Rawalpindi, is also up for sale. Plot No. 27, which houses the Safari Club in the Safari Villas Phase of Bahria Town, Rawalpindi, is another property to be auctioned.