ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday distributed cheques worth Rs300 million among more than 500 affected people of four housing schemes in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The housing schemes were: Al-Haram City, Ghauri Town, Gulshan-i-Rahman and Arain City. The cheque distribution ceremony was held at the NAB headquarters and presided over by NAB Chairman retired Lt-Gen Nazir Ahmed.

In the first phase, billions of rupees had been recovered and distributed among the affected persons of these housing schemes. In the second phase on Tuesday, more checks were distributed among the victims. These schemes failed to deliver plots after receiving payments from the buyers.

Addressing the gathering, the NAB chief said the immediate recovery of citizens’ looted money through fraudulent activities by various housing scams or investment-related institutions and return the amounts to them was NAB’s top priority. He said strict legal action was being taken against those involved in such corrupt practices.

Immediate recovery of citizens’ looted money through fraudulent activities NAB’s top priority, says chairman

He urged citizens to invest in any project only after thorough investigation and satisfaction to avoid financial losses.

He advised the citizens to consider the ownership area, no-objection certificate (NOC), layout plan and reputation of any housing scheme before investing to avoid being defrauded.

Furthermore, the NAB chairman announced that in the future NAB will directly transfer recovered amounts from the accused to the bank accounts of the affected persons.

He appreciated the performance of NAB Rawalpindi, stating that it had recovered Re328 billion in the last 25 years and returned the looted money to the public. He commended the performance of NAB officers and staff whose continuous efforts have made the return of a record amount of looted money possible.

NAB Rawalpindi Director General Waqar Ahmed Chohan briefed the ceremony on the investigations and cases against these housing schemes.

He said through NAB’s efforts, cheques amounting to Rs96.228 million were distributed among 207 affected persons of Al-Haram City, Rs180 million among 186 victims of Ghauri Town, Rs10.42 million among the plot seekers of Gulshan-i-Rahman and Rs12.529 million among the affected people of Arain City.

He said that NAB was taking action against those who defraud citizens with the full force of the law and will pursue not only those within Pakistan but also those who flee abroad. Their identity cards and passports, he said, will be blocked. Under the law, their properties will be confiscated and auctioned, and the return of the looted money will be ensured in every possible way, he added.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2025