The Tale of Judge Mazhar Minhas’s Report on Bahria Town

Nature of the Case

The case centered on allegations of land grabbing and illegal land development by Bahria Town (led by property tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain) between 2005 and 2013. Complaints arose that Bahria Town had encroached on government-owned forest land (notably the Rakh Takht Pari forest near Rawalpindi) and forcibly acquired private land (e.g. in the Salkhtar area of Murree for a “Golf City” housing project) without due process (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest) (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). The Supreme Court of Pakistan treated these as serious violations – involving environmental damage and the dispossession of locals – and in 2009 then-Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took suo motu notice (on human-rights grounds) of the situation (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM) (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). The court suspected that Bahria Town had coerced landowners through fabricated cases and collusion with authorities to obtain land for its housing schemes (In the news: Malik Riaz, Bahria Town, DHA & HRL |A Liberal Fascist Beghairat Mind) (In the news: Malik Riaz, Bahria Town, DHA & HRL |A Liberal Fascist Beghairat Mind). In response, a judicial inquiry was ordered to uncover the facts, leading to a detailed report by District & Sessions Judge Mazhar Hussain Minhas.

Legal Proceedings and Timeline

2005: The earliest incidents took place this year. Locals in Murree alleged that Malik Riaz’s Bahria Town agents grabbed hundreds of kanals of their land (1 kanal ≈ 1/8 acre) – in one case, 617 kanals – while the owners were away, and began developing a housing scheme (later known as Bahria Golf City) (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). Around the same time, hundreds of acres of the Takht Pari forest (a protected reserve near Rawalpindi) were razed and cleared for development. Later satellite imagery confirmed that the forest was intact in April 2005 but large swathes had been cut by October 2005 (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest) (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest). Affected individuals in both areas found little recourse initially – for example, local police refused to register FIRs (First Information Reports) against Bahria Town despite complaints of trespass (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM).
2009: The issue gained national attention. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, acting on reports of gross human-rights violations in these land disputes, initiated a suo motu case (No. 3 of 2009) in the Supreme Court (In the news: Malik Riaz, Bahria Town, DHA & HRL |A Liberal Fascist Beghairat Mind). In mid-2009, the Supreme Court even barred new housing projects in Murree pending resolution, after observing environmental and legal concerns (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). That same year, a separate probe by Punjab’s Anti-Corruption Department was launched into a fraudulent transfer of 1,400 kanals in Rawalpindi to Bahria Town. An FIR was registered in late 2009, naming Malik Riaz, his son Ali Riaz, and several revenue officials for forgery and illegal transfer of land (SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases – Newspaper – DAWN.COM). (Notably, this anti-corruption case was later taken over by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), but initial investigations mysteriously dropped Malik Riaz’s name until the Supreme Court intervened – see 2011 below.)
2010–2011: Acting on the Supreme Court’s directives, Judge Mazhar Hussain Minhas (then Sessions Judge, Islamabad) carried out a judicial inquiry into the Bahria Town allegations (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM) (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). He recorded statements from affected villagers, officials, and Bahria Town representatives. By 2011, Judge Minhas had compiled a report which corroborated the complaints: for example, the inquiry found that Bahria Town and the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) had jointly “cleared” (bulldozed) large parts of the Takht Pari forest to make way for housing construction (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest) (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest). It also confirmed that many parcels of land in Murree’s Golf City project actually belonged to local owners and had been taken through illegal mutations and intimidation, as the victims claimed (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM) (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). In October 2011, the Supreme Court was handed a revised investigation report in the Rawalpindi 1,400-kanal land fraud case, which (under the Supreme Court’s pressure) reinstated Malik Riaz and his son as accused after they had initially been omitted (SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases – Newspaper – DAWN.COM). However, that same month the Punjab Governor controversially ordered the inquiry put on hold, and NAB moved to take control of the case (SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases – Newspaper – DAWN.COM) (SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases – Newspaper – DAWN.COM). Judge Minhas’s inquiry report, meanwhile, was submitted to the Supreme Court for review in the ongoing suo motu case.
2012: Litigation intensified on multiple fronts. In June 2012, a Supreme Court bench led by Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja held hearings on a “cluster” of land grabbing cases involving Malik Riaz (Another week, another rough start for Malik Riaz and Co – Newspaper – DAWN.COM). In open court, Justice Khawaja referenced Judge Minhas’s inquiry findings – noting that they had not been acted upon by police – and ordered the FIA to examine the report for potential criminal proceedings (Another week, another rough start for Malik Riaz and Co – Newspaper – DAWN.COM) (Another week, another rough start for Malik Riaz and Co – Newspaper – DAWN.COM). (Bahria Town’s counsel objected, arguing the inquiry report was under legal challenge and that the Supreme Court shouldn’t meddle in ongoing investigations (Another week, another rough start for Malik Riaz and Co – Newspaper – DAWN.COM).) Separately, frustrated by delays in the Lahore High Court, about 250 “victim” families from Murree held a press conference in Islamabad, appealing to the Chief Justice for swift justice (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). They pointed out that Judge Minhas’s inquiry had upheld their claims of illegal encroachment, yet the LHC’s Rawalpindi bench had not heard their case in nearly a year (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM) (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). During this period, some interim relief came from lower courts – for instance, in April 2012 a Rawalpindi civil court canceled Bahria Town’s ownership of 3,270 kanals (out of 3,333 kanals claimed by it) in Murree after finding that 42 land transfer deeds were forged (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM) (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). Despite such orders, development reportedly continued on the disputed lands, and armed Bahria Town personnel even blocked villagers’ access roads, aggravating the locals (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM) (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM).
2013: By this time, the Supreme Court had compiled substantial evidence and was nearing a conclusion in the suo motu case. In May 2013, Punjab government officials (the Rawalpindi DCO and a Forest Officer) informed the court of a startling incident: when authorities attempted to demarcate the Takht Pari forest boundaries in September 2011 (to verify encroachment), Bahria Town’s management — backed by local police and even paramilitary Rangers — physically thwarted the survey. They had a magistrate impose Section 145 (prohibiting public assembly) on the site and allegedly held the survey team hostage for hours to prevent the measurement (SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases – Newspaper – DAWN.COM). Such revelations underscored the alleged collusion of officials with Bahria Town. By August 2015, after years of hearings, a Supreme Court bench (now led by Justice Jawwad Khawaja as Chief Justice) reserved its judgment on the major land encroachment cases, disregarding Bahria Town’s requests for more delays (SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases – Newspaper – DAWN.COM) (SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases – Newspaper – DAWN.COM). (The final verdict would be announced in 2018 by a reconstituted bench, as explained later.)

Key Allegations Documented and Responses

Allegations: Judge Mazhar Minhas’s inquiry report and related court records detail a pattern of unlawful land acquisition by Bahria Town and its partners:

Encroachment on State Forests: The report concluded that Bahria Town (and DHA in partnership) had illegally occupied protected forest land at Rakh Takht Pari (Rawalpindi) and nearby areas (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest). Approximately 684 acres of Takht Pari reserve and another 732 acres of adjacent Loi Bher forest were alleged to be unlawfully taken for Bahria Town’s Phase-8 and other schemes (SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases – Newspaper – DAWN.COM). Official maps later confirmed that Bahria/DHA developments had absorbed parts of these forests (e.g. Bahria Town incorporated ~484 acres of Takht Pari into its housing phases, and DHA took over ~300 acres) (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News) (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News). The environmental damage was significant: thousands of trees were cleared in violation of law, something the Supreme Court noted via Google Earth images (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest).
Grabbing of Private Land & Forgery: Bahria Town was accused of pressuring individual landowners to sell or surrender land at throwaway prices – or none at all. Numerous villagers in Murree’s Salkhtar area claimed they were forced off ancestral lands through intimidation or fake criminal cases, enabling Bahria to acquire those plots for its Golf City resort (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM) (In the news: Malik Riaz, Bahria Town, DHA & HRL |A Liberal Fascist Beghairat Mind). In many instances, land records were allegedly tampered or forged. Judge Minhas’s inquiry and subsequent lawsuits uncovered dozens of bogus land transfer deeds filed in Malik Riaz’s favor (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). In one striking finding, a civil judge declared 42 such transfers fraudulent and canceled Bahria Town’s title over more than 3,200 kanals in Murree (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM) (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). There were also allegations that Malik Riaz doled out plots to influential figures (for example, relatives of political leaders like former PM Chaudhry Shujaat and ex-CM Pervaiz Elahi) to secure cooperation (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). Such collusion extended to government bureaucracies: the inquiry report noted that revenue officials posted in the area “blindly” facilitated Bahria Town’s land mutations and even ignored court orders, effectively operating “under the thumb of Malik Riaz” (In the news: Malik Riaz, Bahria Town, DHA & HRL |A Liberal Fascist Beghairat Mind).
Use of Intimidation and Local Authorities: A key allegation was that Malik Riaz misused law enforcement and administrative machinery to achieve his ends. Judge Minhas documented how certain police officers acted like “personal servants” of Bahria Town – lodging false cases against landowners and even accompanying Bahria’s private guards to seize land by force (In the news: Malik Riaz, Bahria Town, DHA & HRL |A Liberal Fascist Beghairat Mind). Residents from affected villages testified that Bahria’s armed security personnel, sometimes backed by local police, threatened families and fenced off villages to take possession (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). The inquiry likened some land-grabbing operations to scenes from “Indian films”, given their brazen, organized nature (In the news: Malik Riaz, Bahria Town, DHA & HRL |A Liberal Fascist Beghairat Mind). Another facet was manipulation of regulators: for instance, Bahria Town was accused of illegally constructing a road through Islamabad’s CDA (Capital Development Authority) land to access one of its new enclaves – effectively confiscating 1,200+ kanals of CDA land – without permission (In the news: Malik Riaz, Bahria Town, DHA & HRL |A Liberal Fascist Beghairat Mind).

Bahria Town and Malik Riaz consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout these proceedings. Their responses were multi-pronged:

Legal Challenges: Bahria’s lawyers challenged the validity of Judge Minhas’s inquiry, arguing in court that his report was under appeal and not binding (Another week, another rough start for Malik Riaz and Co – Newspaper – DAWN.COM). They maintained that land disputes were already sub judice in lower courts (e.g. pending in LHC), and thus the Supreme Court should refrain from independent action (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). This stance succeeded in delaying Supreme Court intervention for a time (the SC waited for the High Court for months).
Public Statements: Bahria Town’s management insisted that all its land acquisitions were done lawfully. A company spokesperson stated “Bahria Town has never done anything against the rules. All legal requirements must have been met” for the Golf City project (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). Malik Riaz himself, when confronted with allegations, often dismissed them as baseless or motivated. For example, after later NAB charges, he tweeted that accusations of land grabbing were “baseless” and part of a “blackmail” campaign against him (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News). He also portrayed himself as a victim of extortionate demands, claiming he faced pressure to implicate others, which drove him to move abroad (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News).
Use of Influence: It was alleged (and partially documented) that Malik Riaz used political connections to stall accountability. The 2011 halt of the anti-corruption inquiry (via a directive from Punjab’s Governor) (SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases – Newspaper – DAWN.COM) and the non-registration of police cases against him in Punjab are cited by observers as signs of his clout. Bahria Town representatives countered that they were being unfairly singled out despite investing in development, and that disputes were exaggerated by rivals or miscreants. Malik Riaz at times even flipped the narrative, accusing regulators of corruption or media of bias (e.g. he was involved in a 2012 “mediagate” scandal where he accused the Chief Justice’s son of extorting money – a separate matter outside this land case). These tactics notwithstanding, the core allegations – illegal land grabs, document fraud, and official collusion – remained a focal point of court scrutiny, backed by the inquiry’s detailed findings.

Court Rulings and Judgments

Supreme Court Proceedings (2009–2013): The Supreme Court’s handling of this matter spanned several years, yielding a mix of interim orders and, eventually, a conclusive judgment. Early on, as noted, the Court issued an order in July 2009 banning new housing schemes in the Murree region to prevent further damage while the case was pending (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). It also ordered land surveys and inquiries (such as Judge Minhas’s inquiry) as part of its fact-finding. By 2012, the Supreme Court was actively supervising investigations – for example, directing the FIA to review the Minhas report for any criminal charges (even mulling a perjury or obstruction of justice charge if it was proven that Malik Riaz paid Rs.350 million to secure an acquittal in a related murder case) (Another week, another rough start for Malik Riaz and Co – Newspaper – DAWN.COM) (Another week, another rough start for Malik Riaz and Co – Newspaper – DAWN.COM). However, no final judgment came during Chief Justice Chaudhry’s tenure; the Court often held off pending outcomes in lower courts. In September 2015, the Supreme Court (under a new chief justice) formally reserved its judgment on the Bahria Town land cases after hearing all sides (SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases – Newspaper – DAWN.COM).

Final Supreme Court Judgment (2018): The landmark ruling eventually arrived in May 2018. A three-judge SC bench (Justices Ejaz Afzal Khan, Maqbool Baqar, and Faisal Arab) delivered a majority judgment that validated the findings of the 2011 inquiry and the evidence of encroachment (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest) (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest). Key points of the judgment included:

The Court declared the entire Takht Pari forest area (2,210 acres) to be inalienable forest land, undoing any adjustments that had reduced its official size (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News). It ruled that land “exchanged” or transferred to Bahria Town from the forest was illegal and void, since it was based on erroneous assumptions about the boundary (). Any mutations (land title changes) facilitating this swap were deemed null ab initio.
The Supreme Court explicitly found that Bahria Town and DHA had encroached on state land – essentially confirming the crux of Judge Minhas’s report (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest). Citing surveys and even Google Earth images, the judgment noted the rapid deforestation and construction that took place after 2005, concluding that the land was grabbed without lawful authority (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest).
To enforce accountability, the Court took a strong stance: it directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to investigate and file criminal references against “all those responsible” for the land grab – including perpetrators, abettors, and facilitators in any department (). This opened the door for prosecuting Malik Riaz, Bahria Town officials, government officers, and even any politicians involved. (In fact, the judgment made special mention that the transfer of forest land to Bahria Town in 2005 – during the tenure of then Chief Minister of Punjab, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi – appeared to be a “fit case” for NAB to pursue against him as well (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News) (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News).)
The Court also ordered the forest department, revenue authorities, and Survey of Pakistan to conduct a fresh demarcation of the Takht Pari forest and reclaim any encroached land (). An implementation bench was constituted to oversee compliance, including addressing what to do about any third-party constructions already on the land (). In essence, the Supreme Court aimed to restore the status quo of the forest and compensate or remove any developments that had illegally occurred.

Notably, this 2018 judgment was one of multiple rulings around that time against Bahria Town. The Supreme Court, on the same day, issued another decision against Bahria Town’s massive Karachi project (Malir District), which had involved unlawful allotment of government land. In that separate but related verdict, the Court eventually accepted a settlement requiring Bahria Town to pay Rs.460 billion over several years in lieu of legal action (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News). Together, these rulings sent a clear signal that no one was above the law in land matters, and they underscored the credibility of inquiries like Judge Minhas’s, which had brought wrongdoing to light.

Other Court Decisions: Aside from the Supreme Court, lower courts also played a role during 2005–2013. The Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench was seized with the Murree landowners’ petition, but as reported, it delayed hearings for long periods (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). (Ultimately, the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision rendered the matter largely resolved at the apex level.) There was also a mention of a criminal case involving a murdered security guard (Raja Fayyaz) where Malik Riaz was accused of bribing witnesses; the Supreme Court in 2012 hinted at reopening that case due to possible “subversion of justice” (Another week, another rough start for Malik Riaz and Co – Newspaper – DAWN.COM) (Another week, another rough start for Malik Riaz and Co – Newspaper – DAWN.COM). Additionally, in April 2012 a civil court in Rawalpindi ruled in favor of the Murree affectees by canceling fake transfers, as noted earlier (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). These judicial actions, though fragmented, collectively built pressure on Bahria Town, culminating in the definitive Supreme Court rulings.

Public Documents and the Mazhar Minhas Report

Several documents stemming from this case are publicly available or reported in the media:

Judge Mazhar Minhas’s Inquiry Report (2011): The full text of the inquiry report was submitted to the Supreme Court and is part of the official record, though it was not widely published for the public. However, its contents became known through court hearings and media coverage. For instance, Dawn and other newspapers in 2012 described that Justice Minhas’s report upheld the victims’ complaints in Murree, proving that their land had been illegally taken (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM) (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM). Parts of the report were read out or summarized in open court – e.g. observations that local police and revenue staff acted under Malik Riaz’s influence were noted by journalists (Another week, another rough start for Malik Riaz and Co – Newspaper – DAWN.COM) (In the news: Malik Riaz, Bahria Town, DHA & HRL |A Liberal Fascist Beghairat Mind). The report’s finding that Bahria Town and DHA jointly cleared forest land has been explicitly cited in investigative news pieces as well (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest). Thus, while one cannot readily download the “Mazhar Minhas report” as a standalone document, its key findings are a matter of public record in Supreme Court proceedings and have been quoted in news sources (BBC Urdu, Hum News, Dawn, etc.). We have referenced many of those findings in this answer with citations.
Supreme Court Judgments: The Supreme Court’s final judgment (2018) on the Bahria Town Rawalpindi cases is a public document. It not only spells out the Court’s decisions but also recaps the factual background, including references to the inquiries and surveys. For example, the judgment confirms the original forest land area and nullifies the Bahria Town land exchange (), ordering NAB to take action (). This judgment (along with related orders in 2015 and earlier) can be found in law report archives or on the Supreme Court’s website. Media outlets like Dawn summarized the judgment at the time, and even the PDF of the decision was circulated on legal forums () (). These documents serve as a permanent record validating many of the allegations raised in Judge Minhas’s report.
Other Official Records: Ancillary documents, such as the Punjab Anti-Corruption Department’s investigation reports (2009 and 2011) and Forest Department surveys, were also generated during this saga. The anti-corruption inquiry’s revised report (Oct 2011) re-naming Malik Riaz as an accused was submitted to the Court (though subsequently stalled by NAB) (SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases – Newspaper – DAWN.COM). The Punjab Forest Department and Survey of Pakistan produced a joint survey report around 2013–2014 (under SC orders) to map encroachments in Takht Pari; its results (e.g. forest land reduced on paper from 2,210 to 1,741 acres due to boundary tampering) are cited in the Supreme Court’s ruling (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News). Some of these documents were described in media investigations – for example, BBC News (Urdu) reported on the official maps showing Bahria Town’s occupation of forest land (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News). While not all these reports are readily downloadable, their substance is reflected in court judgments and news articles.

In summary, the Judge Mazhar Minhas inquiry report itself is internally referenced in the Supreme Court’s case file, and its conclusions have been made public through court hearings and verdicts (Another week, another rough start for Malik Riaz and Co – Newspaper – DAWN.COM) (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News). Anyone seeking to verify the details can consult the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment and contemporaneous credible news reports, which together provide a comprehensive picture of the findings.

Impact on Bahria Town and Malik Riaz

The exposure of these land scandals and the ensuing legal battles had significant repercussions for both Bahria Town as a business and Malik Riaz personally:

Reputation and Public Scrutiny: The allegations, coming to light via the Mazhar Minhas report and Supreme Court hearings, tarnished Bahria Town’s image as a law-abiding developer. Media coverage portrayed Bahria Town as a prime example of powerful developers riding roughshod over laws and dispossessing ordinary citizens. Malik Riaz, previously lauded in some circles for private philanthropy and glitzy housing projects, was now frequently mentioned in the same breath as land mafias and corruption (In the news: Malik Riaz, Bahria Town, DHA & HRL |A Liberal Fascist Beghairat Mind) (In the news: Malik Riaz, Bahria Town, DHA & HRL |A Liberal Fascist Beghairat Mind). This period (2012–2013) saw Malik Riaz making headlines for controversial reasons – including a confrontation with the judiciary (the Arsalan Iftikhar bribery saga) and these land grab cases – which together painted a picture of a tycoon under serious legal and ethical cloud.
Operational and Financial Impact: While the court case was underway, Bahria Town faced injunctions and uncertainty around some of its projects. The Golf City project in Murree was essentially stalled; with ownership of much of its land canceled by courts, its legality remained in limbo. Bahria Town’s Phase-8 extensions in Rawalpindi (which overlapped the Takht Pari forest) also came under question – by 2013 the company could not confidently market or sell certain plots that were under litigation. Ultimately, the 2018 Supreme Court judgment posed a financial blow: by declaring Bahria’s Takht Pari land titles void, the Court opened the door to either land repossession or heavy fines/compensation. Likewise, in the related Karachi case, Bahria Town was hit with an unprecedented Rs. 460 billion settlement to legalize its project, straining its finances (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News). These actions signaled that Bahria Town could no longer count on unfettered expansion; legal compliance and penalties were now a cost of doing business. Malik Riaz in later years claimed such measures were driving him to invest abroad, as he felt “pressured” and targeted in Pakistan (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News).
Legal Consequences for Malik Riaz: For Malik Riaz personally, the case increased his legal jeopardy. Though he was not jailed during 2005–2013, the Supreme Court’s orders eventually led to NAB launching formal corruption references against him and others. In the wake of the 2018 verdict, NAB began investigating the forest land grab and other related deals. By 2022–2023, NAB declared Malik Riaz a proclaimed offender (“absconder”) for evading summons (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News). He had left Pakistan (reportedly residing in Dubai) while these inquiries intensified. NAB even warned that investments in Bahria Town’s overseas projects might be treated as money laundering, to pressure his return (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News). As of late 2023, Pakistani authorities have been seeking Malik Riaz’s extradition to face charges (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News). In short, the long-running case that began with Judge Minhas’s report has culminated in Malik Riaz becoming a fugitive from Pakistani law – a dramatic turn for someone who once seemed untouchable.
Bahria Town’s Business and Reforms: In response to the legal challenges, Bahria Town has had to adapt. The company has publicly maintained its compliance with court orders. After the Supreme Court ruling, Bahria reportedly halted further encroachments and focused on adjusting its projects within legal confines. The huge fines and scrutiny likely forced Bahria Town to improve its due diligence on land acquisitions (to avoid future invalidated deals). However, it also sought to leverage political change – for instance, there were reports of negotiations and settlements whenever new governments came in, to manage the fallout. Despite the setbacks, Bahria Town continued operating its existing developments and even launched new ones (e.g. Bahria Town Peshawar, pending launch), but always under the watchful eye of regulators post-2013. In the eyes of many, the case set a precedent that curbed the unchecked growth of private housing empires on public land. As a result of these proceedings, state institutions (courts, forestry departments, etc.) became more vigilant in protecting land rights and the environment from powerful developers.

Subsequent Legal Developments

The Judge Mazhar Minhas inquiry and the Supreme Court’s actions between 2009 and 2013 paved the way for later developments:

Enforcement of Supreme Court Verdict: Following the May 2018 judgment, an “implementation bench” of the Supreme Court oversaw the matter. This included ensuring Bahria Town deposited installments of the massive fine in the Karachi case and monitoring progress on the Rawalpindi side. The Court ordered the Punjab government to reclaim the forest land or secure alternative land as compensation (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News). However, on-ground enforcement has been slow. As of 2023, officials admit that little to no forest land has actually been recovered yet from Bahria/DHA possession (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News). The Chief Conservator of Forests noted that despite clear orders, reclaiming Takht Pari has “not happened yet” due to various hurdles (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest). This indicates ongoing challenges in translating court orders into reality, especially when built-up housing and third-party buyers are involved. The implementation bench has to decide sensitive questions, like what to do with homes already constructed on encroached land, making the process complex and prolonged.
NAB Prosecutions: In line with the Supreme Court’s directive, NAB proceeded to investigate those implicated. By 2019, NAB had prepared references (charges) regarding the Takht Pari land scam. It scrutinized officials in the revenue and forest departments, as well as Bahria Town and DHA executives, who played a role in the illegal transfers. There have been court hearings in the Accountability Courts, though Malik Riaz’s absence (being abroad) has stalled some progress. In October 2023, Pakistani courts even took up cases in Malik Riaz’s absence, underscoring that the legal process is continuing. If Malik Riaz is successfully extradited or returns, he could face trial under corruption and land fraud charges, with potential penalties including prison and further fines. The NAB has framed the Bahria Town cases as part of a broader crackdown on elite land corruption, which gained momentum in recent years.
Related and Ongoing Cases: The Bahria Town saga did not end with Takht Pari or Murree. Inspired by this outcome, other land dispute victims and civic groups have been emboldened to come forward. There have been cases about Bahria Town’s projects in other areas (Karachi, Lahore, etc.) and even about DHA’s land acquisitions. The Supreme Court’s bold stance in 2018 (including declaring a sitting provincial speaker, Pervaiz Elahi, potentially culpable (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News)) signaled that even political figures could be investigated for facilitating such deals. Subsequently, in Sindh, there were separate hearings about Bahria Town’s Malir (Karachi) land, which concluded with the aforementioned settlement that is now being enforced. In addition, media investigations (like BBC and others in 2023) have kept the issue alive by reporting how forest lands and communal lands were lost and should be reclaimed (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News) (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News). Public pressure from environmentalists and affected communities continues to ensure that Bahria Town’s operations remain under scrutiny.
Malik Riaz’s Status: Post-2013, Malik Riaz’s legal fortunes have seesawed with Pakistan’s political climate, but the trend since 2018 is increased accountability. In 2022, UK authorities struck a settlement with Malik Riaz in a money-laundering probe, seizing around £190 million from accounts linked to him (money which the Pakistan government aimed to use for Karachi Bahria Town refunds). Domestically, Malik Riaz’s once close ties with power circles have been tested as various governments alternated. As of early 2025, Malik Riaz remains outside Pakistan, and NAB has officially labeled him a fugitive for failing to face the courts (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest). His appeals or influence attempts (if any) have not stopped proceedings like they used to. This indicates a marked shift: where earlier (circa 2011) a single letter from a powerful office could stall an investigation (SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases – Newspaper – DAWN.COM), now the judiciary and NAB appear committed to seeing the case through regardless of Malik Riaz’s personal clout.

In conclusion, the Mazhar Minhas report and the ensuing case triggered a domino effect in Pakistan’s legal system – bringing powerful land developers under the rule of law. Between 2005 and 2013, what started as local complaints grew into a precedent-setting Supreme Court case. By documenting the truth, Judge Minhas’s 2011 inquiry laid the groundwork for court orders that not only addressed the specific injustices (returning land to rightful owners, protecting forests) but also signaled broader reforms. While implementation is ongoing, the case against Bahria Town/Malik Riaz has already had a lasting impact: it has affirmed the supremacy of law over might, encouraged other victims of land grabbing to seek justice, and forced large developers in Pakistan to think twice before bypassing regulations. The full repercussions – legally, environmentally, and in urban development policy – will likely continue to unfold in years to come, but this case stands as a watershed in holding a well-connected tycoon accountable through judicial process (In the news: Malik Riaz, Bahria Town, DHA & HRL |A Liberal Fascist Beghairat Mind) (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News).

Sources:

Hum News – NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment (2023): Overview of the Takht Pari forest encroachment, quoting the 2011 Judge Minhas report and 2018 Supreme Court ruling (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News) (NAB files references against Bahria Town over Takht Pari land encroachment Pakistan – HUM News).
Dawn News – ‘Bahria Town Golf City: Victims seek quick justice’ (June 18, 2012): Reporting on Murree land victims’ press conference, the CJ’s inquiry by Judge Minhas, and details of land transfers and court cases (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM) (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM).
Dawn News – “Another week, another rough start for Malik Riaz and Co” (June 26, 2012): Coverage of Supreme Court hearings where Justice Khawaja discusses the Mazhar Minhas inquiry and land grabbing allegations (Another week, another rough start for Malik Riaz and Co – Newspaper – DAWN.COM) (Another week, another rough start for Malik Riaz and Co – Newspaper – DAWN.COM).
Dawn News – “SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases” (Sept 1, 2015): Background on the Takht Pari and Rawalpindi land transfer cases, timeline of investigations, and notes leading up to the judgment (SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases – Newspaper – DAWN.COM) (SC reserves ruling on two land grabbing cases – Newspaper – DAWN.COM).
Supreme Court of Pakistan – Suo Motu Case 3/2009 Judgment (2018): Final verdict by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan (majority opinion) declaring Takht Pari land transfers illegal and ordering NAB action () ().
BBC News / Independent investigations (2023): As referenced via Hum News/Fukatsoft, details of how Bahria Town and DHA occupied forest and communal lands, and statements from officials following the Supreme Court ruling (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest) (Takhtpadi, Malik Riaz and the DHA: the story of the ‘occupation’ of Rawalpindi’s forest).
Dawn News – “Bahria Town Golf City: Victims seek quick justice” (Ikram Junaidi, 2012): Additional details on forged deeds, local court orders, and Bahria Town’s response regarding Murree land (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM) (Bahria Town Golf City: ‘Victims’ seek quick justice – Pakistan – DAWN.COM).
LiberalFascist Blog – “The rise of an empire – Malik Riaz” (April 2012): Contains excerpts from Judge Mazhar Minhas’s official inquiry report describing police and revenue officials’ collusion in land grabbing (In the news: Malik Riaz, Bahria Town, DHA & HRL |A Liberal Fascist Beghairat Mind) (In the news: Malik Riaz, Bahria Town, DHA & HRL |A Liberal Fascist Beghairat Mind).