British MPs face heat over appearances at Malik Riaz’s Dubai property events

LONDON: Three British members of parliament of Pakistani origin came under criticism after attending promotional events for a Dubai real estate project linked to Pakistani property magnate Malik Riaz Hussain and his son Ali Riaz Malik, according to a report by The Sunday Times.

Labour MPs Naz Shah and Afzal Khan, along with independent MP Ayoub Khan, took part in roadshow events in June 2024 for the Waada project, a planned 14 million square foot development in south Dubai. The scheme is described as including luxury apartments, mansions, a five-star hotel and a replica of the Eiffel Tower.

At one of the events, Malik Riaz and his son appeared on large screens. Ali Riaz Malik said, The true measure of success is not what we build, but who we uplift.

Malik Riaz, 72, is the founder and chairman of Bahria Town, while his 48-year-old son is the company’s chief executive. Dawn reported that both men are barred from entering the United Kingdom and are under investigation by authorities in Pakistan.

In 2019, the father and son agreed to forfeit £190 million to Britain’s National Crime Agency after an unexplained wealth order investigation. The settlement also covered proceeds from the sale of a £50m London mansion. The NCA later returned the money to Pakistan, where the repatriated amount became part of the corruption case against former prime minister Imran Khan.

According to Dawn, Imran Khan was accused of allowing the funds to be used to settle Bahria Town liabilities in return for land and cash for himself and his wife, a case that resulted in a 14-year prison sentence. Khan, who has been in detention since August 2023, says the charges are politically motivated.

In November 2021, the UK Court of Appeal upheld the Home Office decision preventing Malik Riaz and Ali Riaz Malik from entering Britain. Lady Justice Nicola Davies said their exclusion was conducive to the public good because of their conduct, character and associations.

The Pakistan government has issued arrest warrants for several Bahria Town officials, including Shahid Mahmood Qureshi, the company’s head of global sales, who led the UK roadshow. Islamabad has also formally requested the extradition of Malik Riaz and his son and has warned that investing in the Dubai project could amount to money laundering.

Despite that backdrop, The Sunday Times reported that the three MPs attended promotional events over eight days in June last year. Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Rusholme and a member of parliament’s joint human rights committee, appeared at the launch event held at the Royal Nawaab Pyramid in Stockport on June 14. He praised the developers’ 30 plus years of experience and joined a ceremonial procession with Qureshi.

Ayoub Khan, the independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, attended the Birmingham event at the Hyatt Regency the next day as guest of honour. He told attendees that the people behind it were those that created Bahria Town… there’s a track record behind the organisation.

Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, attended a gala finale in Mayfair, where she described the company as having a successful reputation in Pakistan. All three appearances were later used in promotional material and advertisements for the Dubai development.

Ayoub Khan said he had no prior knowledge of any historical impropriety and had written to the company asking for all references to him to be removed from promotional material. He also said he did not encourage constituents to invest.

A spokesperson for Naz Shah said she gets invited to attend many events by her constituents that relate to their Pakistani heritage and this was one of those events. Afzal Khan said he attended briefly after being invited by a local business person, not the organisers, and said he did not endorse the company or promote the project.