ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Islamabad/Rawalpindi region has formally launched an investigation into a private housing scheme - Faisal Town and Faisal Town Phase II (Fatehjang Road) - for not meeting the required procedures of approval and no-objection certificate, says a press release issued by NAB.

Meanwhile, district scrutiny committee of Attock issued its report stating that land proposed for the housing project does not fall in the urban or residential area but an agriculture or green area.

National Engineering Services of Pakistan (Nespak) has also issued its report saying: “The future residential requirement of Fatehjang has already been accommodated in the growth area of existing urban centre of Fatehjang.”

According to NAB, investigations were started after completing a mandatory inquiry into the scam.

Says billions of rupees collected from public under banner of Faisal Town Fatehjang Road

The press said that following the initiation of the probe, a large number of plot seekers/investors started approaching NAB offices to submit complaints, documentary evidence and records related to their investments.

The anti-graft watchdog said billions of rupees were collected from the public under the banner of Faisal Town through claims of providing residential plots despite the fact that the project lacked mandatory legal approvals and NOCs.

The investigation has reportedly expanded beyond the housing scheme’s management to include the role of multiple government departments.

“Officials associated with the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency, and revenue departments in Rawalpindi and Attock are alleged to have facilitated illegal housing activities in violation of existing rules and regulations,” it said.

Preliminary findings have also revealed evidence of unauthorised housing societies, including Gulshan-i-Kashmir, Asia Housing Society and others, being merged into Faisal Town Phase II without formal approval.

It said several parcels of land were later found to be disputed, agricultural or located in designated green areas, rendering them legally ineligible for residential development.

“Due to the absence of approval and despite repeated assurances by the management, the project remains incomplete, resulting in a sharp decline in its market value,” the press release said.

As a consequence, the value of plots has fallen to less than one-third of their original price, causing severe financial losses to investors and leaving them in a state of uncertainty.

It added that recent developments in Faisal Town scandal have triggered concern among those involved in illegal housing businesses, while the accountability process is being viewed as a strong signal that state institutions will not remain silent against those who undermine public trust.

The report of the District Scrutiny Committee Attock said: “According to site development zone structure plan, the land allocated for proposed housing scheme namely “Faisal Town” (FT-II) does not fall within the designated residential zone.

The proposed land does not fall in the urban area as reported by Assistant Commissioner Fatehjang.

The developer of the scheme installed billboards on the site which were removed and a FIR was lodged in the police station New Airport, Fatehjang.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2026