In a decisive move to protect citizens from deceptive property advertising, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has secured commitments from leading real estate marketing firms to stop promoting unapproved or unauthorized housing schemes.
The pledge came during a high-level meeting held at NAB Islamabad/Rawalpindi, chaired by Director A&P NAB Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Javed Ahmed Khan. The session brought together representatives from major real estate marketing companies, including Agency 21, Graana, Sky Marketing, and others.
Discussions focused on growing concerns over misleading online and print advertisements, where some housing societies falsely claim to be located within or near Islamabad, despite being situated in remote areas outside the Federal Capital’s administrative limits. It was also observed that certain developers and marketing agencies publish unapproved or exaggerated layout plans on websites and promotional materials, misrepresenting both the projects’ locations and their legal status.
Participants unanimously agreed that such practices undermine public trust and expose citizens to financial losses and exploitation. Representatives of all major marketing companies assured NAB of their full cooperation, committing to refrain from promoting unapproved or unverified housing schemes in the future.
The meeting also discussed regulatory and consumer protection measures, including the creation of escrow accounts to safeguard public investments and the establishment of a licensing authority for real estate marketing companies. The proposed framework would ensure that only registered and verified firms can operate in the sector, while enforcing transparency and accuracy in digital marketing.
Addressing the participants, Director Javed Ahmed Khan emphasized that NAB is working closely with relevant authorities to protect public interests and bring transparency to Pakistan’s real estate sector. He warned that strict action would be taken against individuals or organizations involved in deceptive advertising or the dissemination of false information.
