Hundreds of families in Islamabad and Rawalpindi trusted private housing schemes and cooperative societies with their hard-earned savings, hoping to secure a home. Instead, they became victims of one of the largest land scams in the country, where billions were collected through fake promises, fabricated brochures, and misleading campaigns. Many investors were left devastated when the truth emerged that the land they paid for simply never existed.
According to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), over 90,000 plots and files sold in these schemes were fraudulent. Investigations revealed that 20,000 memberships were issued without land, while more than 80,000 kanals of land were marketed despite not being part of any approved project or layout plan.
One private scheme alone applied for just 4,000 kanals in 2022 but advertised itself as an 80,000-kanal mega project, selling around 30,000–40,000 plots and collecting up to Rs 60 billion. Even after years, it managed to buy only scattered and unapproved land, leaving investors empty-handed.
Officials warn that the total loss to the public could run into hundreds of billions of rupees. NAB’s DG Waqar Chauhan confirmed the findings and said the bureau is now working on reforms to protect future homebuyers and prevent similar scams
Also Read: NAB Detains Mastermind Behind Major Financial Scam in Pakistan
