Karachi's Malir Development Authority under FIA scrutiny after two held over fake bank challans

Karachi's Malir Development Authority (MDA) is under investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) after two employees were arrested for allegedly running a network of fake bank challans. The FIA's Commercial Banking Circle, Karachi, conducted a raid in Al-Hilal Society on University Road, arresting Waqas, the MDA's director of land management, and Yameen, a dispatch rider.

The agency recovered Rs20 million in cash and stamps from different banks during the operation. The suspects reportedly used fake bank stamps while not depositing the corresponding cash, with the recovered amount believed to be proceeds of illegal activities. A case has been registered, and further investigation is ongoing. This latest allegation of forgery and illegal land dealings adds to several existing cases against MDA officials, including corruption, misuse of power, and fraud in plotting allotment.

In November 2023, the Anti-Corruption Establishment Sindh registered two cases against several serving and retired officers and private individuals, while in February 2025, the National Accountability Bureau filed a reference against several former senior government functionaries for transferring government land to Bahria Town. The FIA is investigating the extent of the alleged network, whether other officials or bank employees facilitated the fraud, and is identifying additional suspects.