London: Three Pakistani-origin British members of parliament attended promotional events for a Dubai property scheme owned by Pakistani real estate tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain and his son Ali Riaz Malik — both of whom are barred from entering the United Kingdom and are currently under investigation by authorities in Pakistan, according to an investigation carried out by a prominent British newspaper.

The MPs and the Waada Project

The parliamentarians — Labour's Naz Shah, Labour's Afzal Khan, and independent Ayoub Khan — appeared at roadshow events held in June 2024 to promote the Waada project, a proposed 14-million-square-foot luxury development in south Dubai. The ambitious scheme includes luxury apartments, mansions, a five-star hotel, and a replica Eiffel Tower.

Afzal Khan
Labour MP · Rusholme
Attended the roadshow launch at the Royal Nawaab Pyramid in Stockport on June 14. Praised developers' "30 plus years of experience" and joined a ceremonial procession.
Ayoub Khan
Independent MP · Birmingham Perry Barr
Attended Birmingham event at the Hyatt Regency as "guest of honour," telling attendees about the "track record" of those behind Bahria Town.
Naz Shah
Labour MP · Bradford West
Attended the gala finale in Mayfair, describing the company as having "a successful reputation in Pakistan." Her appearance was used in promotional materials.

At one event, Malik Riaz and his son appeared via large screens. Ali Riaz Malik told the audience: "The true measure of success is not what we build, but who we uplift." All three MPs' appearances were subsequently used in promotional materials and advertisements for the Dubai project.

Who Is Malik Riaz?

Malik Riaz, 72, is the founder and chairman of Bahria Town — one of Pakistan's largest private real estate developers. His 48-year-old son Ali Riaz Malik serves as the company's chief executive. In 2019, the pair agreed to forfeit £190 million to Britain's National Crime Agency (NCA) following an unexplained wealth order investigation. The settlement included proceeds from the sale of a £50 million London mansion.

Key Fact The NCA returned the forfeited funds to Pakistan, but the repatriated amount became a central element in the corruption case against former Prime Minister Imran Khan — who was accused of allowing the money to pay off Bahria Town debts in alleged exchange for land and cash for himself and his wife.

Mr Khan, who has been detained since August 2023, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on related charges. He maintains that all charges against him are politically motivated. As for Malik Riaz and his son, neither has been convicted of a criminal offence. They have characterised the NCA settlement as civil in nature and accused critics of mud-slinging.

The UK Entry Ban

In November 2021, the UK Court of Appeal upheld the Home Office's decision to bar both Malik Riaz and his son from entering Britain. Lady Justice Nicola Davies stated that their exclusion was "conducive to the public good" due to their "conduct, character and associations."

  • 2019
    Malik Riaz and Ali Riaz Malik agree to forfeit £190m to Britain's National Crime Agency under an unexplained wealth order settlement.
  • 2021
    UK Court of Appeal upholds Home Office decision banning both father and son from entering Britain, citing conduct and character.
  • June 2024
    Three British MPs attend Waada Dubai project roadshows across London, Manchester, Birmingham and other UK cities over eight days.
  • 2026
    Pakistan government issues arrest warrants for Bahria Town executives. Islamabad formally seeks extradition of Malik Riaz and his son and warns the public about money-laundering risks related to the Dubai venture.

Pakistan's Warnings and Warrants

The Pakistan government has since issued arrest warrants for several Bahria Town executives, including Shahid Mahmood Qureshi — the company's head of global sales who led the UK roadshow events. Islamabad has formally sought the extradition of both Malik Riaz and Ali Riaz Malik, and has publicly warned that investing in the Dubai venture could constitute money-laundering under Pakistani law.

"The true measure of success is not what we build, but who we uplift."

— Ali Riaz Malik, appearing via large screen at a Waada project promotional event

MPs Distance Themselves

Following the publication of the investigation, all three parliamentarians moved to distance themselves from the developers and the project.

Ayoub Khan stated he had "no prior knowledge of any historical impropriety" and wrote to the company demanding removal of all references to him from promotional materials. He also claimed he did not encourage any constituents to invest in the scheme.

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," implying she attended in a cultural rather than commercial capacity.

Afzal Khan said he attended the event "briefly after being invited by a local business person, not the organisers" and stressed he did not endorse the company or promote the project in any way.

Conclusion

The revelations have raised serious questions about due diligence by elected officials before attending commercial promotional events. Critics argue that the MPs' presence — regardless of their stated intentions — lent credibility to a project whose principal owners face a UK entry ban and are the subject of active legal proceedings in Pakistan. The affair underscores the complex intersection of diaspora politics, international real estate investment, and parliamentary ethics. DGN HD TV will continue to follow all developments as they unfold.