The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Saturday released details of its recoveries during the first quarter of 2025, reporting a total sum of more than Rs88 billion retrieved and distributed between January and March.
According to official figures, the anti-graft body secured direct recoveries worth Rs2.0847 billion, while indirect recoveries, largely related to land retrieval in corruption cases, amounted to approximately Rs86 billion. The bureau stated that the recovered amounts have been returned to the affected departments and institutions.
A major portion of these recoveries stemmed from land assets illegally transferred or occupied, especially in housing and infrastructure-related scams. The largest single recovery was made by NAB Lahore, which reported Rs70.87 billion recovered in high-profile housing scams, including the Employees Cooperative Housing Society, State Life Insurance Employees Cooperative Housing Society, and Sarwar Omega Villas cases.
In Balochistan, NAB reclaimed 340 acres of Chiltan Park and 250 acres of government forest land, collectively valued at Rs6.45 billion. NAB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, meanwhile, recovered Rs560 million in an inquiry involving officials from Swat University, Revenue, and Forest Departments.
NAB Sukkur recovered 610 acres of National Highway Authority land, with an estimated worth of Rs8.53 billion. NAB Multan also reported recoveries of Rs13.206 million in the GFS Seven Wonders Housing Scheme case.
Direct disbursements to victims
In terms of direct recoveries, NAB stated that Rs9.72 million was returned to the federal government, Rs10.80 million to provincial governments, and Rs73.51 million to various departments and financial institutions.
A significant portion—Rs1.99 billion—was directly disbursed among 19,105 victims of various fraud cases. In Rawalpindi, NAB distributed Rs72.04 million to 4,778 victims of the National House Building and Road Development Corporation. Victims of other cases, including the Gulshan Rehman and Arain City scams, also received compensation totaling Rs134.64 million.
In Lahore, victims of the notorious Eden Housing scam were paid Rs1.168 billion, while victims of the SHG, Toyota Motors Gujranwala, THG, and Gilani Housing Corporation scams collectively received over Rs573 million. Smaller payouts were also made in relation to the Ahmed City Housing Scheme and several other fraudulent housing projects.
Historical recoveries and recent focus
With these latest figures, NAB’s cumulative recoveries since its establishment have reached Rs6.236 trillion. Notably, around Rs3.92 trillion—nearly 63% of the total—has been recovered in just the past 18 months.
These recoveries were made through a combination of plea bargains, voluntary returns, and settlements negotiated with both individuals and institutions found guilty or accused of corruption.
NAB has reiterated its commitment to continue pursuing mega corruption cases, particularly those linked to housing societies, public land misappropriation, and fraudulent investment schemes.
In related developments, the bureau has also taken note of serious violations in the Karakoram Highway project and warned that investments in Malik Riaz’s Dubai project could fall under money laundering scrutiny.
