Bahria Town has remained a subject of speculation since its inception because of its name, which suggested it was a project undertaken by the Pakistan Navy. Instead, it was Malik Riaz’s ingenuity to employ senior retired Navy officers to make his company’s name credible. He succeeded. Since then parents have been quoting Malik to their children how to rise from rags to riches. Semiliterate Malik has rubbed shoulders with the high and mighty of the land, including the prime ministers and presidents. If he could not provide intellectual company, he provided much else that the big of the land needed. Even now, many generals, admirals and commodores work as Malik’s employees. So much so, a colonel operates as his personal staff officer.
What kind of favours would Malik like to get from the Supreme Court by appeasing Arslan Iftikhar, son of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? Understandably, Malik faces serious charges of occupying the lands of the poor forcibly. He also faces deep enmity of groups whom he owes huge sums. Perhaps Shahbaz Taseer son of slain governor, Salman Taseer, was kidnapped on similar grounds and still is missing. Big money has its problems too.
MAJ (RETD) SURKHAB RAJA
Chakwal
