The United Kingdom police have confirmed that Shahzad Akbar, a former adviser to ex-Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, was attacked with acid at his residence on Sunday, as per Geo news.
Hertfordshire police released a statement revealing that they were alerted by the ambulance service just before 4:45 pm on November 26.
“It is believed an acidic solution was used. A 46-year-old man received hospital treatment and has now been discharged. Safety of any victim is paramount and we believe this is an isolated incident. Active enquiries are underway. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information which could assist with our investigation is asked to please contact police.”
Both police sources and Akbar confirmed to Geo News that he had informed UK law enforcement authorities about feeling endangered two weeks ago, citing concerns that his new address in Royston was known to the Pakistani government.
Imran Khan’s former advisor did so after receiving a letter from the Cabinet Division asking questions about his role in the £190 million NCA properties settlement case and Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s Al-Qadir Trust case.
“I have been in touch with the UK agencies (Police, National Crime Agency (NCA), intelligence services) after my brother was arrested in Pakistan and kept in custody for many months. The letter two weeks ago came to my new address which was shocking for me because it was a clear message from the Pakistan govt that my location is known. So the police already knew about this matter.
What was the need to send me a letter at my new address when letters were being served in Islamabad on my home address,” said Akbar.
A source linked with the Pakistani government with full knowledge of the ongoing cases said it’s a legal requirement to serve papers to the accused’s known address. Akbar holds evidence and documents in the £190 million corruption case and he took away these state-owned papers and refused to cooperate with the inquiry, said the source claimed.
The claim has been denied by Akbar.
The case
The incident took place in an area near London outside the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader’s residence.
He wrote, “Last evening I was attacked at my address in England (where I am living in exile with my family) by unknown assailant/s who threw acidic liquid at me. Thankfully my wife and children are safe, however I got some injuries but nothing life-threatening.
Police and emergency services arrived instantly and house being protected now. I will not be intimidated nor bow down to those who are doing this.”
Speaking to Geo News, Akbar said a delivery person came to his house and threw acid on him as soon as he opened the door. However, he said, most of the acid landed on the door and only a small amount landed on him.
“My wife and children remained unharmed, only I got some injuries,” said the former PTI leader.
Akbar told Geo News that he is currently living in a small village outside of London where he shifted about 1.5 months ago. He said that his new address had been leaked.
The politician, who has been in self-exile in the UK, said that he was at home with his kids on Sunday when a delivery man wearing a helmet rang the doorbell.
He said that as soon as he opened the door, the man threw acid on him from a bottle, adding that one side of his face and body were injured.
He said that the suspect was dressed as a delivery boy and was traveling on a bike.
