Palm Vista Housing scam's prime suspect arrested from UAE: NAB

In a big development against white-collar crime and housing fraud, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) legal team has arrested key accused involved in the multi-billion rupee Palm Vista Housing Society’s scam has been arrested from the United Arab Emirates with the help of Interpol.

According to an official communique released by the National Central Bureau (NCB) Pakistan–Interpol, operating under the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the fugitive Muhammad Qasim Khan, wanted by NAB Lahore in a massive public cheating and housing fraud case, was apprehended in Abu Dhabi and produced before UAE authorities.

The UAE side has now formally sought extradition documents through diplomatic channels for his surrender to Pakistan.

The confidential letter, marked “Most Immediate”, reveals that Interpol Abu Dhabi informed Pakistani authorities on May 20, 2026 that the accused had been arrested against a Red Notice issued in connection with offences under Section 9(a)(ix)(x)(xi) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999. Pakistani authorities have been directed to urgently furnish attested extradition documents translated into English and Arabic for onward submission to the UAE Ministry of Justice.

The arrest marks a dramatic turn in the Palm Vista Housing scandal, a case that allegedly defrauded hundreds of citizens of over Rs1.4 billion through fraudulent plots, false promises, and illegal housing operations. NAB Lahore had earlier disclosed that at least 295 affectees were allegedly deprived of their life savings in the scam. Two directors, Mahmoud Tariq and Amer Azeem, had already been arrested, while Qasim Khan remained the principal absconder operating from abroad.

Reporter: Imran Aslam