Media reports reveal that an Anti-Corruption court in Karachi, on Wednesday, ordered arrest warrants against real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, after the judge dismissed his request for a pre-arrest bail. However, Malik Riaz has contested these reports as a rumor.
The court had issued summon orders for Malik Riaz in the past, however, his counselors had been presenting excuses to the court during the last two hearings.
Arrest Warrant Issued?
Reports reveal that Judge Nisar Ahmed Khan of the anti-corruption court was presiding over a hearing against the owner of Bahria Town. On Wednesday, Judge Nisar expressed his anger at Malik Riaz’s failure to comply with the orders of the court. His request for pre-arrest bail was denied, and the judge ordered his immediate arrest.
The anti-corruption watchdog has been preparing a case and carrying out investigations against Malik Riaz and his accomplices in cases related to land-grabbing and illegal property transfers
The property tycoon has obtained bail on multiple cases accusing him of illegal acquisition of land belonging to the government, which has been incorporated into his Bahria Town projects. He stands accused of land-grabbing 1400 Kanals of land, which were transferred to Bahria Town using forged documents.
https://twitter.com/Anaya__Shiekh/status/1176835836861714433
The authorities revealed that the land was transferred under Malik Riaz’s name without any specific record of revenue. Earlier, the Lahore anti-corruption court had granted Riaz a pre-arrest bail against bonds worth Rs.0.5m.
However, on Wednesday, Judge Nisar Ahmed canceled his bail plea and reissued the orders to arrest Bahria Town owner Malik Riaz.
Read more: Bahria Town case: What is the crime of common citizens?
Commenting on the media reports regarding his arrest, Malik Riaz tweeted a picture of the court summons, stating that he has been ordered to appear before the court on another date.
Malik Riaz said, “To the over-enthusiastic media channels, court reporters & social media vigilantes, I regret to inform that no court in Pakistan has issued my “arrest Warrants” in any case but issued summons to appear in court on next date. Let’s focus on more important issues of the country now.”
To the over enthusiastic media channels,court reporters & social media vigilantes,I regret to inform that no court in Pakistan has issued my"arrest Warrants" in any case but issued summons to appear in court on next date.Let's focus on more important issues of the country now. pic.twitter.com/eHnnYt11u9
— Malik Riaz Hussain (@MalikRiaz_) September 25, 2019
While there is uncertainty about the recent arrest orders against the property tycoon, it is important to note that Malik Riaz has been appearing before the court in this case for almost a decade, alongside his son, Ali Riaz.
Anti Corruption Circle department in Rawalpindi #Pakistan arrest three men allegedly involved in land grabbing, one of whom, Fazal Inam alias Saeen Inam, is said to be a "frontman" for property tycoon Malik Riaz https://t.co/AHVrL8Ojt6
— Mehreen Zahra-Malik (@mehreenzahra) May 31, 2018
The anti-corruption watchdog has been preparing a case and carrying out investigations against Malik Riaz and his accomplices in cases related to land-grabbing and illegal property transfers, however, due to his influence amongst bureaucrats and media houses allows him to escape every controversy unscathed.
https://twitter.com/sea_goat/status/1176819668532834305