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Pakistan anti-graft body seals several properties of real estate developer for ‘defrauding’ citizens

Pakistan anti-graft body seals several properties of real estate developer for ‘defrauding’ citizens
Pakistani property developer Malik Riaz Hussain speaks with a Reuters correspondent during an interview at his office in Bahria Town on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan March 10, 2016. (Reuters/File)
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Updated 18 March 2025
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Pakistan anti-graft body seals several properties of real estate developer for ‘defrauding’ citizens

Pakistan anti-graft body seals several properties of real estate developer for ‘defrauding’ citizens
  • M/s Bahria Town, which claims to be Asia’s largest private real estate developer, has several projects in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and other Pakistani cities
  • Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau last month booked Bahria Town owner Malik Riaz Hussain in a graft case, initiated process to extradite him from Dubai
Updated 18 March 2025
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s anti-corruption watchdog has sealed numerous properties of a private real estate developer, M/s Bahria Town, for “defrauding people of billions of rupees,” Pakistani state media reported on Monday.
M/s Bahria Town, which claims to be Asia’s largest private real estate developer, has projects in several cities, including Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, in the South Asian country.
Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) said it had registered several cases of fraud and deception against Bahria Town owner Malik Riaz Hussain and others in Islamabad and Karachi courts, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
Hussain and his associates are accused of illegally occupying both government and private lands in Karachi, Rawalpindi and New Murree to establish housing societies without permission and defrauding people of billions of rupees.
“In recent actions related to this, numerous commercial and residential properties of Bahria Town in Karachi, Lahore, Takht Pari, New Murree/Golf City, and Islamabad have been sealed, including multi-story commercial buildings,” the Radio Pakistan report read.
“Additionally, hundreds of bank accounts and vehicles of Bahria Town have been frozen, and further actions in this regard are being carried out rapidly.”
There was no immediate comment from Bahria Town in response to NAB’s allegations.
The development comes more than a month after NAB filed a reference in an accountability court in Karachi, nominating Hussain, his son Ahmed Ali Riaz, former Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Sharjeel Inaam Memon, then local body minister and now information minister of Sindh, among 33 people for illegally transferring government land to M/s Bahria Town for its Bahria Town Karachi project in 2013 and 2014.
Hussain, who currently lives in Dubai, is one of Pakistan’s wealthiest and most influential businessmen and the country’s largest private employers. The anti-graft body this year said it had initiated the process to seek Hussain’s extradition from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who was also charged in another land corruption case involving former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife.
A Pakistani court in January sentenced Khan to 14 years in prison and his wife, Bushra, to seven years, in the case in which they are accused of receiving land as a bribe from Hussain through the Al-Qadir charitable trust in exchange for illegal favors during Khan’s premiership from 2018 to 2022. Khan says he and his wife were trustees and did not benefit from the land transaction. Hussain too denies any wrongdoing relating to the case.
Hussain has recently launched a new project of luxury apartments in Dubai and NAB has prima facie evidence that certain individuals from Pakistan are illegally aiding him in this process by transferring their money to the UAE for investment in the project. These funds have been sent to foreign countries through “illegal means,” Radio Pakistan reported, citing the anti-graft body.
“Any funds transferred from Pakistan for this project will be considered money laundering, and legal action will be taken against the involved elements without discrimination,” the anti-corruption watchdog was quoted as saying.
“NAB will continue its legal actions against Bahria Town Pakistan without any delay or pressure to fully protect the rights of the citizens of Pakistan.”

Topics: bahria town Malik Riaz Hussain Al Qadir Trust

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Pakistan gets first iPhone trade-in program

Pakistan gets first iPhone trade-in program
Updated 7 sec ago
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Pakistan gets first iPhone trade-in program

Pakistan gets first iPhone trade-in program
  • Jazz, leading digital conglomerate, and Mercantile, Apple’s authorized distributor, launch initiative 
  • Customers can trade in old PTA-approved iPhone 11, newer models for discount on iPhone 16 series
Updated 7 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s leading digital conglomerate Jazz has partnered with Mercantile, Apple’s authorized distributor, to introduce the country’s first-ever iPhone trade-in program, a press release said on Tuesday. 

Under the initiative, customers can trade in their old PTA-approved iPhone 11 or newer models to receive a discount on the latest iPhone 16 series. Jazz and Mercantile are also offering an additional subsidy bonus on top of the trade-in value.

“As a digital leader, Jazz is committed to bridging the digital divide in Pakistan. Our partnership with Mercantile to launch the first iPhone Trade-In Program reflects our focus on innovation and customer convenience,” Ali Fahd, Head of Marketing at Jazz, said. 

“By making premium devices more accessible, we are empowering customers to enhance their digital lifestyle with seamless connectivity and value-added services.”

Nauman Durrani, CEO of Mercantile Pakistan, said the launch would simplify how people in Pakistan could access latest iPhone models:

“By working with Jazz, we’re offering a clear, straightforward way for customers to upgrade from older devices and enjoy a better user experience.”

The program is currently available at Jazz Experience Centers in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi. The trade-in offer applies to full-price purchases only and is not available on postpaid installment plans at this stage.

In addition to the trade-in program, Jazz has introduced an exclusive six-month bundle for customers purchasing a PTA-approved iPhone 16 through Jazz. This package includes 200GB of Internet, 6 months of free airtime, e-SIM activation, discount vouchers, and handset insurance worth up to Rs. 100,000 covering theft, loss, and damage for 6 months.

Jazz is also offering the iPhone 16 series on an 18-month installment plan for only postpaid customers, providing flexible payment options to suit varying needs.

Topics: iPhone iPhone 16 iPhone trade-in program

Pakistan warns drought may ‘intensify’ in parts of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan 

Pakistan warns drought may ‘intensify’ in parts of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan 
Updated 25 March 2025
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Pakistan warns drought may ‘intensify’ in parts of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan 

Pakistan warns drought may ‘intensify’ in parts of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan 
  • Meteorological department says drought may exacerbate in coming months due to rising temperatures and low rainfall 
  • Advises stakeholders to take pre-emptive measures for drought-prone areas, urges farmers to seek updates from PMD
Updated 25 March 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Meteorological Department (PMD) this week warned that the existing drought situation in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan provinces may “exacerbate and intensify” in the coming months due to below-normal rainfall, rising temperatures and acute shortage of stored water in the country’s dams. 

In its latest advisory issued on Monday, the PMD noted that drought conditions still persist in Sindh, southern parts of Balochistan and lower eastern plain areas of Punjab. It said that the overall, below-normal rainfall deficit of 40 percent was observed across Pakistan from Sept. 1 to Mar. 21, adding that the major rainfall deficits were observed in Sindh at 62 percent, Balochistan at 52 percent and Punjab at 38 percent. 

The PMD noted that there is an “acute shortage” of stored water in the Tarbela and Mangla dams, while water in different rivers is flowing at an “extreme low level.” The advisory said that the mean temperature recorded during March in the lower half of the country is two to three degrees above normal. 

“Keeping in view the current weather situation and seasonal climate outlook, the drought situation may exacerbate and intensify in the following drought affected areas of the country,” the advisory said. 

The advisory said that in Sindh, a “moderate” drought situation is likely in Padidan, Shaheed Benaz­irabad, Dadu, Tharparkar, Ume­rkot, Kha­irpur, Hyde­rabad, Thatta, Badin and Karachi while a “mild” drought situation is likely in Ghotki, Jacobabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Khairpur and Sanghar.

In Balochistan, it said the drought conditions will be moderate in Gwadar, Kech, Lasbela, Panjgur and Awaran, with mild conditions in Chagai, Jaffarabad, Jhal Magsi, Sibbi, Nushki and Washuk.

In Punjab, the affected areas for mild drought conditions will be Bahawalnagar, Baha­walpur and Rahim Yar Khan.

The PMD said it is continuously monitoring the country’s meteorological conditions, warning of the emergence of a “flash drought” in the upcoming months due to the rainfall deficit and increasing temperatures. 

“Hence, it is advised to all stakeholders to take pre-emptive measures for drought prone areas,” the PMD said. “Farmers/agriculturists are advised to keep themselves updated from PMD website.”

Pakistan has the fourth-highest rate of water consumption in the world. The country’s agriculture sector uses the most amount of fresh water than any other sector. Rainfall has steadily declined over the past few decades and experts have been warning for years the country will approach “absolute scarcity” of water by 2025.

The results of the latest census in 2023 counted 241.49 million people across Pakistan with a growth rate of 2.55 percent. Linked to that, per capita water availability has been on a downward trend for decades.

In 1947, when Pakistan was created, the figure stood at about 5,000 cubic meters per person, according to the World Bank. Today it is 1,000 cubic meters. It will decline further with the population expected to double in the next 50 years, climate change experts say, pointing out that Pakistan needs intervention on a range of water-related issues: from the impact of climate change to hydropower, from transboundary water-sharing to irrigated and rain-fed agriculture, and from drinking water to sanitation.

Topics: Pakistan Drought Sindh Punjab

Pakistani artists put spotlight on country’s rich cultural heritage at UAE exhibition

Pakistani artists put spotlight on country’s rich cultural heritage at UAE exhibition
Updated 42 min 33 sec ago
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Pakistani artists put spotlight on country’s rich cultural heritage at UAE exhibition

Pakistani artists put spotlight on country’s rich cultural heritage at UAE exhibition
  • Syrian, Egyptian and Lebanese artists also present their works
  • Pakistan aims to deepen cultural ties with the UAE through art
Updated 42 min 33 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s envoy to the United Arab Emirates on Monday emphasized the role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening people-to-people contacts, said an official statement, as he addressed an art exhibition in Ajman that highlighted his country’s rich cultural heritage.
The exhibition comes amid growing efforts by Pakistan to deepen economic and cultural ties with the Gulf nation. The UAE is one of Pakistan’s largest export destinations in the region due to its proximity, and Pakistani firms often use it as a base to target the broader Middle Eastern market.
In recent years, Pakistan has also hosted similar exhibitions featuring fruits, vegetables and industrial goods in a bid to enhance trade opportunities.
“Art, music, cuisine and sports have the power to unite people,” Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said during the ceremony. “For greater harmony and peace, we must encourage more cultural exchanges.”
“The UAE’s beauty lies in its ability to bring together over 200 nationalities, creating a melting pot of cultures,” he added.
The exhibition featured a blend of traditional and contemporary works not only by artists from Pakistan but also other Muslim countries like Syria, Egypt and Lebanon.
The Pakistani envoy toured the venue following the inauguration, interacting with artists and appreciating their creative expressions.
The event concluded with the ambassador distributing certificates to participating artists in recognition of their work.
There was also a cake-cutting ceremony at the exhibition to mark Pakistan Day, annually celebrated on March 23.

Topics: Pakistan UAE ties Pakistan embassy in UAE

Canada says India, Pakistan among nations with potential to meddle in upcoming election

Canada says India, Pakistan among nations with potential to meddle in upcoming election
Updated 25 March 2025
Reuters
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Canada says India, Pakistan among nations with potential to meddle in upcoming election

Canada says India, Pakistan among nations with potential to meddle in upcoming election
  • Canada is set to hold general election on April 28 amid chilly relations with both India and China
  • Its spy service says state actors are increasingly leveraging AI to meddle in electoral activities
Updated 25 March 2025
Reuters

OTTAWA: China and India are likely to try to interfere in the Canadian general election on April 28, while Russia and Pakistan have the potential to do so, the country’s spy service said on Monday.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) made its comments at a time when Ottawa’s relations with both India and China are chilly. Beijing and New Delhi have denied previous allegations of interference.
Canada was slow in responding to efforts by China and India to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 elections but their outcomes were unaffected by the meddling, an official probe concluded in a final report released in January.
Vanessa Lloyd, deputy director of operations at CSIS, told a press conference that hostile state actors were increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to meddle in elections.
“The PRC (People’s Republic of China) is highly likely to use AI enabled tools to attempt to interfere with Canada’s democratic process in this current election,” she said.
Earlier this month Beijing announced tariffs on more than $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products, retaliating against levies Ottawa slapped on Chinese electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products last year.
Canada said last week that China had executed four Canadian citizens on drug smuggling charges, and strongly condemned Beijing’s use of the death penalty.
Asked for a response to the CSIS comments at a regular news briefing on Tuesday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said China had always adhered to the principle of not interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, and had “never had any interest in interfering in Canada’s internal affairs.”
Canada last year expelled six Indian diplomats — including the head of mission — over allegations they were involved in a plot against Sikh separatists on Canadian soil.
“We have also seen that the government of India has the intent and capability to interfere in Canadian communities and democratic processes,” said Lloyd.
The Indian diplomatic mission in Ottawa was not immediately available for comment.
Russia and Pakistan could potentially conduct foreign interference activities against Canada, Lloyd added.
“It’s often very difficult to establish a direct link between foreign interference activities and election results ... Nevertheless, threat activities can erode public trust in the integrity of Canada’s democratic processes and institutions,” she said.
 

Topics: Canada elections 2025

Pakistan says inflation expected to remain within 1-1.5% range in March 

Pakistan says inflation expected to remain within 1-1.5% range in March 
Updated 25 March 2025
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Pakistan says inflation expected to remain within 1-1.5% range in March 

Pakistan says inflation expected to remain within 1-1.5% range in March 
  • Inflation may inch up to 2-3% in April 2025, says Finance Division in monthly economic outlook report
  • Says Pakistan may record likely increase in remittances due to “seasonal factors” such as Ramadan, Eid festivals
Updated 25 March 2025
Ismail Dilawar

KARACHI: Inflation is expected to remain within the 1-1.5% range in Pakistan during the month of March, the country’s Finance Division said in its monthly outlook report on Tuesday, as Islamabad navigates a tricky path to recovery from a macroeconomic crisis. 

Aggressive policy rate cuts by Pakistan’s central bank and a series of economic reforms by the government has led to a substantial decline in Pakistan’s annual inflation rate, bringing it down to 1.5% in February 2025.

Pakistan’s inflation rate peaked to a record high of 38% in May 2023 on account of surging food and fuel costs as Islamabad withdrew energy and fuel subsidies under a deal agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a financial bailout package. 

“Inflation is anticipated to remain within the range of 1.0-1.5% for March 2025 and inching up to 2.0-3.0% in April 2025,” the Finance Division said in the outlook report. 

It added that high frequency indicators, such as a “positive” growth in cement sales, increased automobile production and higher imports with an easy monetary policy, suggest a potential uptick in production if demand conditions remain supportive. 

The report highlighted that Pakistan may record a likely increase in foreign remittances due to “seasonal factors” such as the holy month of Ramadan and the upcoming Eid festivals. 

“Similarly, exports and imports are expected to improve owing to the expansion in economic activity,” the report said. “Collectively, these factors will help to keep the current account within manageable limits.”

The report praised the government’s resource mobilization, saying it had led to an increase in tax collection during the month and also noted the “favorable” performance of the Pakistan Stock Exchange compared to major global indices.

Pakistan’s government has claimed the country is finally on the path to sustainable economic growth, vowing to undertake long-term financial reforms. The nation expects its foreign exchange reserves to increase beyond $13 billion by June despite weak net financial inflows caused by a shortfall in the planned official inflows. 

Pakistan has also repaid the majority of its external debt due this year, according to the central bank.

Topics: Pakistan Inflation

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