Pakistan to seek Malik Riaz's extradition from UAE: Khawaja Asif

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Friday that the government would seek the extradition of real estate tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain from the UAE.

Hussain, who is charged in a land corruption case involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan, is accused of providing land as a bribe through the Al-Qadir charitable trust during Khan’s tenure between 2018 and 2022. B

Both Khan and Malik Riaz Hussain deny any wrongdoing in the case.

Hussain, the chairman of Bahria Town Limited, one of Asia’s largest private real estate developers, currently resides in Dubai.

A Pakistani court sentenced Khan to 14 years in prison, while his wife, Bushra Bibi, was sentenced to seven years for their involvement in the land transaction.

The case alleges that the land was exchanged for illegal favors during Khan’s premiership.

Asif confirmed that the government would pursue Hussain’s extradition under the UAE-Pakistan extradition treaty, calling for the tycoon’s return to Pakistan to stand trial.

He also accused Hussain of using his wealth and influence to acquire land from the poor for Bahria Town’s developments, claiming that the company’s transactions over the past decades lacked transparency.

Additionally, Pakistan's anti-corruption agency, NAB, warned the public against investing in Hussain’s new luxury apartment project in Dubai, suggesting such investments could be considered money laundering.

Riaz has rejected these allegations, stating that he left Pakistan due to political pressure and attempts to use him as a political tool.