KARACHI – The future of Bahria Town, Pakistan’s most prominent real estate brand, is hanging in the balance as legal pressure mounts on its founder Malik Riaz, raising fears of a property market slump.
Although prices have not collapsed — contrary to social media claims of a 50% drop — property transactions have slowed to a crawl. Dealers say buyers are holding back until the situation stabilizes.
The unease escalated after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) auctioned Bahria Town assets, followed by Malik Riaz’s public warning that the company’s cash flow had “completely collapsed”, making it difficult to provide services or pay staff salaries.
BBC Urdu quoted property market insiders who warned that any closure of Bahria Town offices would halt property transfers entirely until an alternative mechanism is established. Some investors, fearing prolonged uncertainty, have already started selling their assets.
Experts note that investor confidence remains shaky, with few willing to commit fresh capital amid unresolved inquiries. While the long-term future could improve if legal matters are resolved, for now, Bahria Town faces one of the toughest challenges in its history.