ISLAMABAD: Even after a decade, allottees of the much-publicized residential project Saqlain Mushtaq Heights remain deprived of their apartments, prompting victims to hold a press conference in Islamabad to demand immediate action.
The victims demanded that either their invested amount be returned as per the current market value or a clear, written and time-bound schedule be issued for the completion and handover of the apartments.
According to the affectees, booking for the project was started in late 2016 and early 2017. Despite the lapse of almost ten years, not only have the buyers not received possession, but the grey structure of several towers has not been completed to date.
The project, spread over 50 kanals in Bahria Town Phase 8, Rawalpindi, was introduced as a modern residential scheme comprising seven towers, 550 apartments, penthouses and double-basement parking. Buyers were offered a convenient three-and-a-half-year installment plan.
The victims stated that Khalid Awan and his company were involved in the marketing and sales of the project, while former Test cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq, as Chairman of the project, had taken responsibility for its supervision and for fulfilling the promises made to the buyers.
During the press conference, the victims presented to the media the original project brochure, booking forms, payment receipts, official letters issued by the management, written assurances regarding possession, and current photographs and videos of the site.
They pointed out that a message signed by Saqlain Mushtaq in the official brochure had assured the buyers of transparency, honesty, high construction quality and timely completion.
As per the original plan, the project was to be completed by June 2020. Furthermore, in a written letter dated January 16, 2019, the management had assured that possession of apartments in Tower No. 7 would be handed over by June 30, 2021, failing which buyers would be paid compensation at the rate of Rs. 30 per square foot per month as rent.
The victims alleged that neither was possession given nor was any compensation paid.
They said that full or substantial amounts were collected from buyers of Tower No. 4, 5 and 7, yet construction work on Towers 4 and 5 has not been started, while Tower 7 has still not reached the stage of a complete grey structure.
The affectees added that since 2020, they have continuously approached the management through meetings, phone calls, WhatsApp messages and written applications seeking an update and a revised timeline. While the management in different communications admitted to delays, rising construction costs and financial constraints and promised to share a new roadmap soon, no practical progress was made.
In a startling revelation, the victims claimed that in January 2026, they discovered that the same project was being re-marketed under a new name, Al Muqeed Heights, without taking the existing allottees into confidence. Fresh bookings were being made for the upper floors of Tower No. 7, while the old buyers have been waiting for their homes for nearly a decade.
They also objected that Tower No. 4 was being shown as “Not Launched” in the new marketing campaign, despite the fact that they possess valid booking agreements, payment records and other documentary evidence proving that the tower had already been sold.
Concluding the press conference, the victims demanded that Saqlain Mushtaq, Khalid Awan and the project management come forward with a clear written stance on the issue and either complete the project and hand over possession of the apartments without further delay, or immediately refund their entire investment in accordance with the current market rate.
They appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, NAB, FIA and other relevant authorities to take immediate notice of the matter and provide justice to hundreds of affected families.
