IHC Moves to Lift Bahria Town Auction Stay

Islamabad, July 28, 2025, 10:14 PM PKT — The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued decisive notices to respondents in a high-stakes case seeking to vacate a stay order on the auction of Bahria Town’s properties, with a hearing set for August 4 ahead of the planned August 7 auction, heard by a division bench of Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif, per official reports. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), filing the petition, argued the stay obstructs recovery efforts after a failed plea bargain, with Prosecutor Rafi Maqsood noting the accused’s unpaid settlement and a rejected trial court challenge after NAB sought property details.

Chief Justice Dogar highlighted a parallel case at the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court, where petitioners were directed to the auction committee and barred from citing the IHC stay. The IHC bench, responding to NAB’s plea to lift the stay, scheduled the next hearing pre-auction, with a stern warning that non-appearance will trigger legal action. Web context shows legal recovery debates, while posts found on X reflect scrutiny—some demand transparency, others question judicial delays. Critically, the narrative of “justice served” may mask procedural hurdles—web data hints at past delays, and X sentiment suggests distrust in timely resolution, pointing to ongoing tension.