Islamabad (National Times) Pakistan’s accountability authorities have initiated the process of seeking Red Notices through Interpol against Malik Riaz and his son Ali Riaz, while simultaneously expanding their crackdown in Karachi with raids at multiple locations linked to Bahria Town, including its main office.
Nazir Ahmed, chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), said during a briefing that efforts were underway to bring the individuals back to Pakistan through legal and diplomatic channels, with a dedicated team tasked for the purpose.
A Red Notice is a request to global law enforcement agencies to locate and provisionally arrest a wanted individual, though it does not constitute an international arrest warrant.
Meanwhile, NAB officials confirmed that several individuals were taken into custody during raids in Karachi, and a substantial volume of records was seized and sealed to prevent tampering.
The seized material includes documentation related to Bahria Town’s projects in Sindh, particularly those concerning land acquisition, allotment, and ownership claims. The follows complaints from affectees alleging illegal occupation of land and encroachment on state-owned property for private housing developments.
Investigators are examining whether large tracts of public land were unlawfully incorporated into private projects, with the confiscated records now under scrutiny for evidence of irregularities.
Separately, sources close to the family claim that Malik Riaz has obtained residency in Malta and is planning to relocate from Dubai in the near future. They further suggested that a significant portion of his assets has already been shifted abroad, alongside plans to launch a major housing project in Malta.
Sources also indicated that attempts were made to negotiate a settlement with the government, but failed to yield results, prompting the decision to move overseas.
Government and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) sources said that, under the current circumstances, the immediate return of Malik Riaz or his family members appears unlikely, particularly if long-term legal status is secured abroad.
However, independent confirmation regarding the issuance of Interpol Red Notices remains unavailable, leaving the international dimension of the case yet to be formally verified.