NAB Disburses Rs 11.8 Billion to Eden Housing Scam Victims, Launches Digital Payment System
LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore held a cheque distribution ceremony on Thursday, overseen by Chairman NAB Lt. Gen. (R) Nazir Ahmad. The event, supervised by NAB Lahore DG Ghulam Safdar Shah, marked another major milestone in the bureau’s recovery efforts from the infamous Eden Housing Scam.
Addressing the event, Chairman NAB revealed that a total of Rs 13 billion in claims were submitted by 11,880 victims of the Eden Housing scam. However, NAB surpassed expectations by securing a plea bargain of Rs 16 billion, exceeding the claimed amount by 23% to ensure greater compensation for all affected.
So far, NAB Lahore has recovered Rs 11.8 billion, with Rs 8.6 billion already distributed among victims. The chairman confirmed that the bureau has now commenced the fifth installment of Rs 3.2 billion, with efforts underway to recover the remaining Rs 4.2 billion.
In a significant development, Chairman Nazir Ahmad announced that victims will no longer need to visit NAB offices for compensation. Going forward, payments will be transferred digitally to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through an automated system.
The NAB chairman praised NAB Lahore’s performance, highlighting that the bureau had achieved record recoveries of Rs 236 billion, with Rs 233 billion already disbursed to 94,000 affectedees nationwide. He also acknowledged the bureau’s decisive action against illegal housing schemes.
During the ceremony, the chairman shared NAB’s ongoing collaboration with provincial governments to introduce comprehensive real estate reforms. He also disclosed plans for a nationwide crackdown on fraudulent land allotments.
DG NAB Lahore Ghulam Safdar Shah reiterated the bureau’s accomplishments, noting that since its inception, NAB Lahore has filed 1,381 references, with 1,265 cases already decided. The DG added that the total recovery includes Rs 45.5 billion in direct recoveries, Rs 177 billion indirectly, Rs 12 billion via settlements, and Rs 1 billion through court fines.
The DG also outlined reforms introduced under the current chairman’s tenure, such as:
Monthly public hearings (Khuli Katcheri)
Business and overseas facilitation desks
Digital transformation with E-Office and AI integration
Confidentiality of suspect identities during investigations
Anti-Money Laundering guidelines
New auction policy and land directorate
Capacity-building and employee welfare initiatives
The ceremony concluded with certificates of appreciation awarded to the Combined Investigation Team (CIT) for their dedicated work in the Eden Housing Scam investigation.
Mutib Khalid is a skilled content writer and digital marketer with a knack for crafting compelling narratives and optimizing digital strategies. Excel in creating engaging content that drives results and enhances online presence. Passionate about blending creativity with data-driven approaches, Mutib Khalid helps brands connect with their audience and achieve their goals.