Interpol Issues Red Notice for Malik Riaz and Son
Islamabad – Interpol has issued Red Notices against Malik Riaz, the founder and chairman of Bahria Town, and his son, Ali Riaz, the company’s chief executive, at the request of Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The notices authorize law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest the pair pending extradition.
NAB Announces Interpol Action
NAB Chairman Lt. General (retired) Nazir Ahmed announced the issuance of the Red Notices during a press briefing on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, according to Dawn and The Nation. A Red Notice is an international request for police to arrest a person pending extradition or other legal action.
Allegations and Current Status
Malik Riaz, 72, and Ali Riaz, 48, are wanted in connection with allegations of illegal land acquisition in the Takht Pari Forest case and the Bahria Golf City Project, as reported by The Nation. Both are currently residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where they have launched a multi-billion-dollar housing project.
Challenges to Extradition
NAB Chairman Ahmed acknowledged that securing the return of the Riaz family to Pakistan would be challenging. He specifically noted “the aspect of Dubai’s annoyance with Pakistan”, suggesting potential obstacles in the extradition process. Despite these challenges, NAB is preparing a team to pursue the extradition of both individuals, according to bolnews.com.
Previous Legal Issues
Malik Riaz has been an absconder in the Al-Qadir Trust case, and both he and his company have faced previous legal issues related to land grabbing and illegal acquisition for real estate projects. Dawn reported that NAB initiated the process to extradite Riaz and his son from the UAE in January 2025.
Bahria Town’s Profile
Bahria Town, founded by Malik Riaz, is one of Asia’s largest private real estate developers, with projects across major Pakistani cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. The company is known for developing large-scale gated communities with modern infrastructure and luxury housing.
Key Takeaways
- Interpol has issued Red Notices for Malik Riaz and his son, Ali Riaz, at the request of NAB.
- The pair are wanted in connection with allegations of illegal land acquisition.
- Extradition from the UAE may be challenging due to diplomatic factors.
- NAB is actively pursuing the extradition of both individuals.