Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said no one is above the law and the state will act against those who dare challenge its writ.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad today, he said the government will pursue a legal process to bring Bahria Town Owner Malik Riaz back to Pakistan from the United Arab Emirates.

The Defence Minister said Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are the signatories of Extradition Treaty, and the government is approaching the UAE authorities for repatriation of Malik Riaz, who has been declared absconder by courts. He said cases would be registered against Malik Riaz as per the law.

He said the procedure adopted to acquire lands for Bahria Town projects across the country have legal flaws and does not contain transparent transactions.

Khawaja Asif said proceeds of crime in the 190 million pound case was awarded back to the Bahria Town owners, who in return compensated the PTI led then government by donating 438 acers of land to the Al-Qadir University Trust. He said it is also an interesting fact that the donated land was also grabbed illegally.

The Defence Minister made it clear that neither any relief will be given nor any compromise be made with Malik Riaz.