NOC cancelled: Ban on property sales, ads in Bahria Town

KARACHI: The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has imposed a complete ban on booking, sale, purchase, and advertising of properties in Bahria Town Karachi, following the cancellation of its provisional no-objection certificate (NOC).

According to SBCA’s conciliation orders, the NOC issued on September 19, 2022, has been revoked due to non-payment of Rs460 billion installments as directed by the Supreme Court.

With this move, Bahria Town’s control over 16,896 acres of land is under serious threat. However, the SBCA assured that allottees’ rights will remain protected, while it has been instructed to provide a complete list of all allottees immediately.

Bahria Town deadlock: Impact on investors, residents

This decision marks a major setback for one of Pakistan’s largest private real estate projects and has created uncertainty among investors and property buyers linked with Bahria Town Karachi.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had earlier this year issued a public notice to auction six properties in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The move came after chairman Malik Riaz and his son Ali failed to pay the amount agreed upon under a plea bargain to settle the £190 million case.

Several Bahria Town projects across Pakistan are now surrounded by uncertainty, causing alarm among millions of residents and investors, both local and overseas.

Last month the Supreme Court had rejected a stay order petition against the auction of properties of Bahria Town.

The top court ordered a counsel of the Bahria Town to submit copies of references against the Bahria Town.

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