Director General (DG) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Amjad Majeed Aulakh has on Monday said that investigations into mega corruption scandals, money laundering and state-land encroachments are underway.
NAB has intensified investigations into alleged mega corruption scandals involving public funds, money laundering, development projects and state-owned land, Aulakh said while pledging strict action against those found responsible.
Speaking to senior journalist Nadeem Malik in an interview, Aulakh outlined investigations into alleged financial irregularities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the Upper Kohistan treasury fraud, land-related corruption in Sindh and cases involving prominent political and business figures. The discussion focused on the recovery of public money, forensic audits, the identification of suspected financial transactions and the challenges facing accountability institutions in pursuing high-profile cases. Aulakh maintained that individuals implicated in money laundering and corruption would not be spared, while indicating that the bureau would refrain from disclosing certain names before investigations were completed.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Development Projects Under Scrutiny
One of the major issues discussed during the programme concerned alleged irregularities in development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly initiatives intended to improve urban infrastructure, public parks, green spaces and public safety. According to details shared during the discussion, approximately Rs32 billion was allocated through financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2017 for improvement projects in Peshawar, Abbottabad and Mardan. Kohat and Mingora were subsequently included in the programme, with further financing reportedly bringing the total to approximately Rs64 billion.
The amount was later reported to have increased to around Rs 74 billion, raising questions about the utilisation of the funds, the implementation of planned projects and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms. Aulakh indicated that investigations were examining whether the allocated funds had been properly utilised and whether the projects had delivered the intended public benefits. Concerns were raised about projects whose implementation did not appear to correspond with the allocations recorded in official documents. The allegations raise broader questions about the management of development financing, particularly where international loans are intended to improve public infrastructure and living conditions. Aulakh declined to disclose the names of individuals under investigation, indicating that disclosure could affect the proceedings.
Rs37 Billion Upper Kohistan Fraud Investigation
The Upper Kohistan case emerged as another major focus of the discussion, with NAB investigating the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of more than Rs37 billion from the public exchequer. The case concerns suspected manipulation of government treasury procedures and the diversion of public funds through financial transactions involving official accounts and private bank accounts. NAB investigators traced financial transactions and examined bank accounts to establish the movement of the money. Official reporting on the investigation has identified 142 accused individuals, including government officials and other people allegedly connected to the case. The investigation has also involved the forensic examination of more than 1,200 bank accounts, according to the details discussed in the programme. Aulakh indicated that the investigation had examined the possible involvement of bureaucrats and other officials in the alleged fraud. NAB had frozen assets worth more than Rs27 billion and recovered more than Rs10 billion through plea bargains and other mechanisms by June 2026.
اہم اعلان سیاستدان تیار ہوجائیں یقین نہ آئے تو خود سُن لیں۔ نیب کا شکنجہ پھر تیار https://t.co/bFaVfSEW3o
— Mujahid Hussain (@MujahidNaama) October 26, 2026
Sindh Land Corruption And Forensic audits
Land-related corruption in Sindh was another major subject of the programme, particularly investigations involving the Malir Development Authority and alleged irregularities in public land transactions. Aulakh discussed extensive forensic audits of government and railway land, including efforts to identify land that had allegedly been encroached upon, transferred unlawfully or left vulnerable to unauthorised occupation.
The audits reportedly identified thousands of kanals of land beyond the initial areas under examination. NAB has been pursuing the identification and restoration of state assets, alongside legal action where evidence supports further proceedings. Land-related corruption has significant financial consequences for the state, as the unauthorised transfer or occupation of public property can deprive governments of revenue and undermine planned development. It can also raise questions about the role of officials responsible for maintaining land records, approving transfers and enforcing property regulations. The programme also addressed a case involving 33 accused individuals, reportedly connected to the current period of government, which Aulakh said was at the trial stage.
Malik Riaz Case And State-Owned Land
The discussion also turned to property tycoon Malik Riaz, the owner of Bahria Town, whose name has appeared in several NAB investigations and corruption references involving alleged illegal occupation of state-owned land. Aulakh stated that Riaz was a proclaimed offender and should appear before the courts to face the charges against him. In February 2025, NAB filed corruption references against Riaz, his son Ali Riaz, former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and others concerning alleged illegal occupation of government land in New Murree and the Takht Pari forest area. Approximately 4,500 kanals of state-owned land had been unlawfully incorporated into the Bahria Golf City project in New Murree. The discussion underscored NAB's stated intention to pursue cases involving influential business figures alongside investigations into public officials and politicians.
Panama Papers Case and Accountability Legislation
The conversation took a political turn when Malik questioned Aulakh about the Panama Papers controversy and accountability proceedings involving former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The discussion included the Avenfield Apartments case and the political demand that Sharif provided money trails and documentary evidence relating to his family’s overseas properties. Aulakh maintained that NAB was bound by the law and judicial decisions. The Panama Papers controversy became a defining episode in Pakistan's political history, culminating in Sharif's disqualification by the Supreme Court in 2017. Subsequent accountability proceedings produced separate legal outcomes in cases concerning his family's London properties.