Blue World City : Thugs with friends in high places
A real estate hustle involving Ertugrul, Shahid Afridi, Governor Punjab, gang wars, breaking out from police custody using armed thugs and retired servicemen.
I don’t think Halima knows that her face is being used to market Blue World City.
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A friend sent me this clipping of Blue World City (BWC) half-page ad that was published in a newspaper a day after the OIC foreign minister’s moot extending congratulations to the COAS, the President, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan on the successful organization of the event.
I believe there is no arrangement between the Government of Punjab and Blue World City. However, to be on the safe side, I will only quote from the news sources or post tweets with very limited commentary so that Punjab government’s spokesman doesn’t threaten me by creating a fake account and then tagging FIA for alleging that I am making up fake news as he did with my RUDA post.
I wrote a post about it.
In case you missed the RUDA post that caused the heartburn to Punjab CM’s spokesman, you can read it here
Now that we have got that out of the way, let’s dig into Blue World City using news reports.
Blue World City
April 2020
CEO of BWC offers 5,000 housing units, free of cost, to Naya Pakistan Housing
Saaed Nazeer CEO Blue World City donates Rs2m to PM’s Corona Relief Fund (thenews.com.pk)
CEO, Blue World City, and Head, Blue Group Companies, Saad Nazeer, is a renowned businessman who works passionately towards the success of initiatives taken for the welfare of Pakistan’s masses.
He is a member of the Governor of Punjab’s social welfare committee, and an avid supporter of the government’s reforms, especially in real estate development and construction. Mr Nazeer donated Rs. 2 crore to Corona Relief Fund, personally presenting a cheque to Prime Minister Imran Khan at a special event, organized under the auspices of the Governor of Punjab at the Governor House, recently.
He has offered his services to the government towards the successful completion of a large portion of the Naya Pakistan Housing Project and has offered 5,000 built up houses, as well as developed land for 50,000 apartments, free of cost, on his and Chaudhary Nadeem Ejaz and his group’s behalf.
This is, to date, the greatest support given to the Naya Pakistan Housing Project by any developer in Pakistan’s private sector, making it a unique step in supporting the Prime Minister’s vision and development of the project.
But both BWC and the PM’s coterie use such occasions for their own benefit: BWC to give legitimacy to its illegal projects and PM’s advisors to show that Naya Pakistan Housing Development Authority (NAPHDA) is delivering results.
If I were General Ali Hyder of NAPHDA, I would have reached out to Blue World City to inquire about 5,000 houses. Does anyone in government know where are these 5000 houses and land for 50,000 apartments, which were offered free of cost to NAPHDA/PM?
CEO BWC also mentions that he is a member of Governor Punjab’s social welfare committee. Is he really, because these guys shouldn’t be anywhere near the powers that be?
June 2020
Blue World City is notified as an illegal housing scheme and RDA directs it to immediately stop advertisement and development work
RDA serves notices upon 5 housing schemes (thenews.com.pk)
Rawalpindi : Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) under Section Punjab Private Housing Scheme and Land Subdivision Rules 2010 has issued notices to the owners of five illegal housing schemes.
The notices have been served upon Blue World City and Khanyal Homes Chakri Road Rawalpindi, Rudn Enclave and Encro Farm Houses Adyala Road Rawalpindi and Broha Farm Houses in Tehsil Murree Rawalpindi to stop illegal advertisements and development work. Re-challans and demolition orders have been also issued and applications for registration have been submitted in the concerned police stations.
The Director Metropolitan Planning and Traffic Engineering (MP&TE), RDA Jamshaid Aftab has directed the owners of above mentioned illegal housing schemes to immediately stop illegal print/electronic advertisements.
The notices have warned that if the development work and advertisement was not stopped immediately, RDA would seal the site offices of the illegal housing schemes in Rawalpindi. RDA advises general public in their own interest that they should not make any investment in any illegal / unauthorized Housing Scheme which status declared illegal by RDA. Otherwise, they themselves will be responsible for their losses.
RDA has also requested Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) and PTCL, not to extend services to these illegal housing schemes as its status is un-approved / illegal. RDA spokesman said Chairman RDA Tariq Mehmood Murtaza and Director General (DG) RDA Ammara Khan has directed the MP&TE Directorate to take strict action against illegal / unauthorized commercial and residential construction activities, booking offices and encroachments without any fear or favour.
September 2020
Ertugrul becomes a brand ambassador of BWC
National newspapers carry a 1/3-page ad on their front page of Ertugrul star signing up as a brand ambassador of BWC.
September 6, 2020
BWC says they will take legal action against those slamming the Ertugrul star for endorsing this project
People may have criticized Ertugrul for associating himself with this project. BWC threatens legal action against such people.
September 8, 2020
Turkish Ministry of Interior gets involved and asks Ertugrul to distance himself from this illegal project.
The webpage has since been taken down, but you can use wayback machine to visit it.
Ertugrul Ghazi star reportedly cancels brand ambassador agreement with Blue World City
Turkish drama Ertugrul Ghazi star Engin Altan Duzyatan has reportedly cancelled his agreement as new brand ambassador with Blue World City. The inner sources have revealed that Turkish interior ministry has informed Engin Altan Duzyatan about Pakistani media reports that clearly stated that Blue World City is illegal and Rawalpindi Development Authority has taken legal action against the city.
Sources claimed that Turkish stat Engin Altan Duzyatan has immediately cancelled agreement with Blue World City after seeing all reports. He viewed that he was not informed regarding the illegal status of city when agreement inked. It was worth mentioned here that housing society’s chairperson had shared the news on social media along with a picture of them signing the contract. He also shared a picture of Duzyatan’s passport. Social media was abuzz with news that Duzyatan will be visiting Pakistan soon. Sources revealed that Blue World City administration smartly tried to cash the situation as Engin Altan Duzyatan very popular in Pakistan, however their plan failed after truth revealed regarding World City
Currently Blue World City is facing allegation that it allegedly using the name of Engin Altan Duzyatan for selling plots. Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has also submitted application against Blue World City at police station Chontra.
Must be a historical first where an interior ministry of a foreign country had to ask the actor to cancel his brand ambassadorship agreement.
October 2020
NAB opens a probe into BWC alleging loot and plunder of billions of rupees
NAB decides to probe private housing scheme - Newspaper - DAWN.COM
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday decided to probe alleged wrongdoings, “loot and plunder of billions of rupees” by the management of a private housing scheme being developed at Chakri Road in Rawapindi.
The decision was taken by NAB Chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal after attending an open kutchery in which he received public complaints.
Mr Iqbal directed NAB Rawalpindi Director General Irfan Naeem Mangi to initiate the investigation against the management of Blue World City, said a press release issued from the NAB headquarters.Blue World City has continued sale of plots without getting a no-objection certificate (NOC) or approval of the layout plan from Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), it added.
RDA Chriaman Tariq Mehmood Murtaza had also informed the NAB chief about the illegality of the scheme. NAB has also asked media and advertisement agencies not to publish or broadcast the ads of illegal housing schemes so that the citizens could be saved from pecuniary losses.
In a public message, NAB has already warned people to invest in any housing scheme after getting confirmations from the relevant government departments.
It said people should ascertain the registration of a housing scheme in which they were investing, its location, availability of land by the management, cost of plots and other charges, provision of amenity plots (for graveyards, schools/colleges, parks and hospitals). Meanwhile, the management of BWC claimed on its website that the scheme had initially been approved by RDA for planning in 2018.
“Since BWC has grown enormously and the size of land for planning permission has gone up from initial 1,534 kanals now it is targeting an acquired area of 65,000 kanals.”
It claimed that the NOC was at the very final stage to be issued by the RDA. The final land revenue checks are in place to confirm the ownership of land and legal requirements by the RDA.
May 2021
The Profit reports on the gang wars between thugs of Abdullah City and BWC
The Profit does a deep dive on the project. As it is a long report, I will just select a few paragraphs. I highly recommend that you read the report in full.
Chakri’s real estate gang wars - Profit by Pakistan Today
In March 2021, Tahir Aziz called the Chauntra police station and complained that five armed guards had barged into the housing society of his brother on Chakri road named Abdullah City. The five guards overlooked the destruction of residential houses in the society. Who were these culprits? Tahir Aziz claimed that the guards said they had been sent by Nadeem Ijaz, Naeem Ijaz and Saad Nazir – the owners of Blue World City to demolish residential houses of Abdullah City. The intruders said they would kill anyone who tries to stop them.
Shortly after this, the Chauntra police station received another complaint from Sawab Gul, an employee of the Blue World City, in which he stated that he and two other security guards of the housing society, Ahmad Shah and Mohammad Naseer Abbasi, were sitting in their camp when unidentified armed men attacked them. Gul alleged that armed men from Dera Mushtaq Anwar which is under the control of Abdullah City owners Asim Aziz and Tahir Aziz stormed in and opened fire.
“ In the Chakri area, the armed guards of both societies have started a series of gang wars, which the police are also afraid of. Abdullah City, Blue World and Mavida City are located side by side on Chakri Road. The same claims made by Blue World regarding the land area are also made by the management of Abdullah City,” explains a police official on condition of anonymity.
This sort of attack and counterattack had become the norm in Chakri back in March.
May 2021
BWC is also named in the Rawalpindi Ring Road Scam
Inquiry unearths Rawalpindi road project fraud (tribune.com.pk)
ISLAMABAD: A number of senior officials including Rawalpindi’s former commission Muhammad Mahmood have been found to be involved in illegally changing the alignment of Rawalpindi’s 65km long Ring Road project, according to a fact-finding inquiry.
The fact finding inquiry was undertaken to look into the allegations of illegalities in the change of the alignment of the project and the questions of corruption, rent seeking, and conflict of interest.
According to the press release, Mahmood, former land acquisition controller Waseem Ali Tabish and former Project Management United (PMU) deputy director Abdullah committed incurable illegalities, committed deceit and deception and issued orders without having due authority.
“[They also] committed abuse of public funds to benefit a rent-seeking syndicate including themselves.”
The inquiry said the former commissioner in sheer violation of laws and rules created rent seeking benefits for himself and a number of housing projects – Nova City, Capital Smart City, New Airport City/Al Asif Housing, Top city, SAS Developers, Blue World and Islamabad Capital Housing Society.
“It has been established that additions of Moorat-Attock Loop and Paswaal Zigzag [to the project] were made to purely benefit private interests with the backing of influential public officeholders, past and present, and influential bureaucrats.
“Through lies, deceit and deception this private rent seeking was being portrayed as public necessity.”
It said the federal as well as the Punjab governments were kept in total darkness about the necessary facts and every recommendation made by highest forums for presenting the alignment to Punjab chief minister were willfully and repeatedly ignored.
The report said the project was unlawfully advertised on March 1, 2021 with the help of a PPP leader. The inquiry said the former commissioner “ensured reckless speed” on illegal alignment despite there being clear illegalities
July 2021
Shahid Afridi is roped in for a balloting ceremony for the overseas block of BWC
Shahid Afridi joins Blue World City on Balloting of Overseas Block – Blue World City
Alhamdululah Rabul Alameen – The Legendary Shahid Afridi joins Blue World City on the occassion of Balloting of Overseas Block – And at the event BWC Management announced to make Shahid Afridi Cricket stadium & Shahid Afridi Cricket acadmey IN SHA ALLAH ! Shahid Afridi sb announced that once the acadmey is made He will run the cricket academy Himself IN SHA ALLAH !
August 2021
Shahid Afridi distances himself from the project
August 2021
Pictures and reportedly videos of the gang war emerge
The Profit published its report in May 2021 and the gang war is still continuing in August 2021. The law enforcement agencies are nowhere to be found.
January 2022
The CEO of BWC is freed from police custody by armed men
I am speechless. Thanks for the tweep1 for bringing this to my attention.
Armed men free property tycoon Nadeem Ijaz from police custody in Pindi - Pakistan - DAWN.COM
RAWALPINDI: A property tycoon who had been on interim bail in a fraud case was freed from police custody by his armed men as he was being driven to the police station on Tuesday after his bail was cancelled by the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench.
As the LHC judge announced cancellation of the interim bail of accused Nadeem Ijaz, director of a private housing society, the Chontra police took him into custody. The accused was on interim bail from the LHC till Nov 30.
While he was being driven to the police station, some people in four wheel-drive vehicles carrying guns intercepted the police vehicle outside the LHC Rawalpindi building and freed Nadeem Ijaz from police custody and sped off after firing in the air.
Shahzad Mehmood, a senior official of Metropolitan Directorate Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) had registered an FIR with Chontra police against Chaudhry Nadeem Ijaz and Saad Nazir.
He said in the FIR that he along with his staff went to the site of private housing society and found that the owners of the society had been developing the society on illegal land without getting approval of the RDA. Hence, they had been cheating public which was a violation of the Punjab Development of City Act.
The case was registered against the accused but he had obtained interim bail from the court, which was cancelled on Tuesday.
The City Police Officer (CPO) Athar Ismail directed the SP Saddar Kamran Amir to arrest the culprits within 24 hours.
Police raiding teams were constituted to arrest the escapee and his accomplices, the CPO said, adding that anyone who was found giving shelter to the accused would face legal action.
It took several hours to decide the jurisdiction of the crime scene as the LHC premises is located in the limits of Airport police while the outside area is situated in the Morgah police area.
When contacted, CPO Athar Ismail said that an FIR would be registered against the accused on relevant charges, including offering resistance to the police.
He said police raiding teams have been constituted to arrest the escapee and his accomplices.
On a lighter note, this would have been funny if it weren’t so tragic. The thug escapes from police custody, and the police are fighting for several hours over which Thana has jurisdiction.
It took several hours to decide the jurisdiction of the crime scene as the LHC premises is located in the limits of Airport police while the outside area is situated in the Morgah police area.
March 2022
The co-owner of BWC is arrested on terrorism, kidnapping, and murder charges
Unfortunately, the report doesn’t name the co-owner, but it appears to be the brother of the CEO of BWC who escaped.
Co-owner of housing society arrested - Newspaper - DAWN.COM
RAWALPINDI: The co-owner of a private housing society (Blue World City) was arrested in a sting operation as he was wanted in terrorism, murder and kidnapping cases.
City Police Officer Omer Saeed Malik said in a press release that the co-owner of BWC and land grabber was detained by police as he was a criminal record holder. As many as 38 first information reports (FIRs) were registered against him with the Rawalpindi district police on various charges including 7-Anti Terrorism Act (ATA), and 302 and 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
The CPO also claimed that the man was a fugitive from law and Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench had taken serious notice of his defiance of the law and courts.
A fresh case was registered against him and his accomplices in Chauntra police station on Thursday night due to his involvement in indiscriminate firing which resulted in injuries to nine people.
The CPO said the man was also involved in a case of armed resistance when he forcibly freed his arrested brother from police custody, when the latter’s bail was cancelled from the LHC, Rawalpindi bench.
Police said special teams were constituted last week to track and arrest the land grabber, while efforts were being made to arrest his other accomplices.
March 2022
Taking a page out of Malik Riaz’s playbook by hiring retired major generals and brigadiers
This brings us back to the ad that started this post. The ad congratulates the COAS first before the President and the PM. It also shows that they have hired two retired major generals and two retired brigadiers at BWC.
The BWC website gives them full-page profiles.
It appears that Ertugrul, Turkish ministry of interior, and Shahid Afridi have more common sense as the aforementioned have no qualms associating with these thugs, murderers, and kidnappers. But then it shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Malik Riaz has been hiring retired personnel for a similar purpose for years.
Another tweep2 pointed out that we don’t know if this is a general block or a General’s Block (i.e., for military men)
More pictures from their website
Looking forward to the day when they complete their album by getting their picture taken with the COAS.
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Further reading
I have written a few posts on real estate shenanigans. Some of my popular ones are given below.
Credit where credit due
I didn’t know about these till I was tagged in the following tweets