A major housing scandal has shocked residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, where thousands of families invested their life savings in private schemes they believed were safe. Many citizens trusted brochures, promises, and marketing campaigns. But behind these claims, investigators found a massive network of fraud involving billions of rupees and more than 90,000 Plots that never existed on legal records.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) revealed disturbing details about what may be the country’s biggest housing scam. Private housing schemes and cooperative societies in the twin cities allegedly misled citizens through fake memberships, unapproved land claims, and false project advertisements. According to NAB, more than 90,000 Plots were sold, far exceeding the approved land or available layout plans.
Investigations by NAB Rawalpindi uncovered serious irregularities. Over 91,000 plots and files were issued despite schemes owning far less land. Around 20,000 memberships were granted without any land backing. Even more alarming, nearly 80,000 kanals were advertised and sold although they were not part of any approved project. Many of these files represented nothing more than paper promises.
Private housing companies also sold 26,000 plots from approved land while simultaneously promoting 80,000 kanals of non-existent property. Investors were left with empty claims, as a huge portion of the advertised area was unrelated to genuine development. Officials say this pattern was repeated in multiple schemes that relied heavily on overselling and fake land banks.
One major scheme applied for approval of only 4,000 kanals in 2022. Despite this, it marketed itself as a mega project of 75,000 to 100,000 kanals and sold 30,000 to 40,000 plots. The scheme collected up to Rs 60 billion from buyers, but after three years, it managed to purchase only 34,000 kanals of scattered and unplanned land. Most of it still lacked NOCs and regulatory approvals.
Cooperative societies, often seen as reliable, were also implicated for issuing fake files and making misleading land claims. Officials warn that the public loss may reach hundreds of billions of rupees. Victims include government employees, retirees, professionals, and ordinary citizens.
DG NAB Rawalpindi, Waqar Chauhan, confirmed the findings. He said NAB worked with regulators and the Cooperative Department to gather verified data. He added that NAB is preparing a reform package to protect citizens and curb such scams in the housing sector.
In what investigators describe as one of the largest frauds in Pakistan’s real estate history, the sale of 90,000 Plots has become a symbol of unchecked corruption and the urgent need for stronger regulation.
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