RAWALPINDI EHSAN BUKHARI
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has uncovered a major land grab scandal involving the Bahria Town administration, allegedly involving illegal occupation of river land and selling plots worth billions of rupees. The revelation reportedly came to light on July 30, 2025, when an RDA inspector, accompanied by his colleagues, was traveling in jeep number RIT-3380 on a routine visit to Bahria Town Phase 8.
According to initial reports, Bahria Town officials not only sold off illegally occupied riverbank land but also allegedly laundered the proceeds to Dubai. What adds a layer of irony to the situation is that RDA officials had previously accepted bribes worth millions of rupees from the same parties. Now that the situation has escalated, they have approached the police for justice.
A case has been officially registered at Police Station Rawat. As per the FIR, Imran Hussain Jafri has alleged that the accused, including Ali Riaz (Chief Executive Officer), Muhammad Ilyas (Deputy CEO of Bahria Town Pvt. Ltd.), Engineer Muhammad Saleem Chaudhry, and Muhammad Jameel (General Manager, CR Custom Sports Planning & Design Office, Bahria Complex Phase 8, Mouza Gali, Rawalpindi), were involved in illegal activities.
Jafri claimed that while visiting Phase 8, he learned that the Bahria Town administration, under the direction of Ali Riaz Malik, had encroached upon the River Soan and carried out illegal plotting and sale of land, generating billions in illegal revenue. Furthermore, they have been accused of encroaching on the river’s natural stream.
Despite official notices issued to stop unauthorized advertisements and sales, no action was taken by Bahria Town, prompting legal proceedings.
When Capital News Point reached out to concerned departments and senior police officials for confirmation, they verified the incident and stated that a comprehensive investigation is underway. All current and former RDA officials and staff who had oversight of these areas since the inception of Bahria Town Phase 8 will be investigated. Those found involved will have their cases referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for further action and recovery of illegal earnings.
Sources further revealed that high-ranking officials, including former Deputy Commissioners, Commissioners, and others serving during the development of Phase 8, will also be brought under investigation.
Capital News Point has also launched its own investigative reporting on the matter and announced that more revelations regarding RDA and Bahria Town will be made public in the second installment of the investigative series.
