Malik Riaz and his son’s 10-year UK visa were revoked by a UK court.
A UK court of appeals has upheld a Home Office decision to revoke real estate tycoon Malik Riaz’s and his son’s 10-year multiple-entry visit visas.
Malik Riaz and his son Ahmed Ali Riaz had filed a judicial review in the court of Lady Justice Nicola Davies, Lord Justice Nugee, and Lord Justice Snowden against the Home Office’s original decision in December 2019 to revoke the visas of Malik Riaz and his family members.
While dismissing the appeal, the UK court notes that the Home Office’s conclusion that Mr. Riaz and his son were involved in corruption and financial/commercial misconduct was based on their involvement in the affairs of Bahria Town—a company owned and run by the appellants’ family that is described as Asia’s largest property developer.
On Friday, November 26, 2020, the UK High Court issued its decision. The London High Court’s detailed verdict explains how the case progressed from the tribunal to the high court.
The UK High Court verdict also revealed that the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) judgements against Bahria Town handed down in 2018 and 2019, particularly the judgement dated 4 May 2018, were cited by the British Home Secretary in her decision and were viewed as “the evidence before the respondent” by the UK High Court.
In her decision dismissing Riaz and his son’s appeal, Lady Justice Nicolas Davies stated, “Whilst there has not been a criminal conviction against you, I am satisfied on probabilities that you have been involved with corruption and financial/commercial misconduct,” Justice Nicolas wrote.
“As a result, in light of the United Kingdom’s commitment to combating corruption and financial crime, I believe that your exclusion from the United Kingdom is in the public interest due to your conduct, character, and associations.”
