Tag: Shahzad Akbar

  • UK asked to speed up Shahzad Akbar’s handover to Pakistan

    UK asked to speed up Shahzad Akbar’s handover to Pakistan

    The government of Pakistan has requested the United Kingdom to speed up the process of extraditing Shahzad Akbar, who served as an Advisor to former PM Imran Khan, to Pakistan, The News reported.

    Shahzad is accused in multiple cases in Pakistan and he fled the country in 2022 shortly after Imran Khan lost his government through a vote of no-confidence.

    On the orders of the Interior Ministry, the FIA contacted Interpol to issue a red warrant to bring Shahzad Akbar to Pakistan.

    However, a year has passed but no major progress could be made in this case.

    The News reported the investigators of the case registered under Sections 420, 468, 471, 385, 396, 389, 500 and 506 of the Pakistan Penal Code had requested Interpol for help in arresting Shahzad Akbar.

  • Accountability court freezes bank accounts of Malik Riaz, PTI leaders in £190 million case

    Accountability court freezes bank accounts of Malik Riaz, PTI leaders in £190 million case

    An accountability court in Islamabad ordered on Tuesday that the bank accounts of property tycoon Malik Riaz and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Shahzad Akbar, Zulfi Bukhari, and Farah Gogi, be frozen in relation to the £190 million case.

    The Accountability Court has ordered to freeze the assets and bank accounts of six suspects in the said case.

    The accountability court has also ordered the seizure of vehicles registered in the name of the suspects , while also issuing permanent arrest warrants after declaring them absconders.

    On December 1, 2023, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed a reference against PTI founder Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and others in the case of £190 million National Crime Agency (NCA), the UK.

    The reference from NAB, Rawalpindi, alleges that the accused individuals, in collaboration with each other, have engaged in acts of corruption and corrupt practices, as outlined and punishable under the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) of 1999.

  • UK Police confirms acid attack on Shahzad Akbar

    UK Police confirms acid attack on Shahzad Akbar

    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.

  • Shahzad Akbar allegedly attacked with acid in UK

    Shahzad Akbar allegedly attacked with acid in UK

    Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Assets Recovery Unit (ARU) head Shahzad Akbar has revealed in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) that an unidentified man threw acid on his face at the front door of his home in the United Kingdom.

    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.

  • PTI’s Shahzad Akbar leaves for Dubai after name removed from ‘no-fly list’

    PTI’s Shahzad Akbar leaves for Dubai after name removed from ‘no-fly list’

    Special Assistant to former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Accountability and Interior Shahzad Akbar left for Dubai on Sunday after his name was removed from the FIA’s ‘stop-list’ on the order of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

    According to Express Tribune, Akhbar departed via Islamabad International Airport for Dubai on an international airline at 3:30 am, from where he is expected to depart for the United Kingdom (UK).

    Last week, the FIA had put names of four Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members including former aides — Shahzad Akbar and Shahbaz Gill on “no-fly list.”

    However, on April 12 the Islamabad High Court suspended the notification. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the court has already declared the blacklist illegal.

    He said, “We have already issued a verdict that no one’s name can be placed on this list.”

    IHC also suspended the ban on three other persons— former principal secretary Azam Khan, Khan’s ex-focal person on Digital Media Dr Arslan Khalid and Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment Chairman Mohammad Nafees Gohar.

  • FIA places six key aides of former PM Khan on ‘stop list’

    FIA places six key aides of former PM Khan on ‘stop list’

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Sunday placed the names of six closed aides of former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on ‘stop list,’ barring them from travelling abroad without permission.

    According to official list: they Khan principal secretary Azam Khan, former special assistant to PM on political communication Dr Shahbaz Gill, ex-adviser to PM on interior and accountability Shahzad Akbar, Director-General (DG) Punjab Corruption Establishment Gohar Nafees, and DG Federal Investigation Agency Punjab Zone Mohammad Rizwan’s names have been added to the ‘stop list’. As per reports, the name of Pakistan Tehreek-Insaaf’s (PTI) head of social media Dr Arsalan Khalid is also among the list.

    The FIA introduced a system of ‘stop list’ in 2003 to stop unwanted people from trying to leave the country in the shortest possible time as placing someone’s name on Exit Control List (ECL) takes a long time.

    The development came after, the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against former Prime Minister Imran Khan succeeded on Sunday, with 174 members voted in favour of the motion.

  • PM’s hawk adviser Shahzad Akbar resigns, Fawad Chaudhry says ‘more important work awaits’

    PM’s hawk adviser Shahzad Akbar resigns, Fawad Chaudhry says ‘more important work awaits’

    Adviser to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Accountability and Interior Shahzad Akbar said on Monday that he had resigned from his post.

    Taking to Twitter, Akbar said that he had tendered his resignation today to PM Khan.

    “I sincerely hope the process of accountability continues under the leadership of PM IK as per the PTI’s manifesto. I will remain associated with the party and keep contributing as a member of the legal fraternity,” he added.

    Reacting to the news, federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said, “It was never easy to take on Mafias but way you worked and handled cases is admirable.”

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Mohammad Zubair tweeted, “Jumping the ship at the right moment, Shahzad Akbar has proven to be a smart person.”

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Anny Marri said, “Sinking ship – meet the first of the rats. More to come….”

    In July 2020, Akbar was appointed as an adviser to the premier.

    Akbar — former deputy prosecutor for the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) — was appointed as a special assistant to the prime minister on accountability in August 2018.

  • PM Khan directs spokespersons to highlight Shehbaz Sharif’s money laundering

    PM Khan directs spokespersons to highlight Shehbaz Sharif’s money laundering

    

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan in a meeting with party spokespersons directed his criticism towards the Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif.
    

    During the meeting, Advisor to PM on Accountability and Interior Barrister Shahzad Akbar said that Shehbaz Sharif is directly involved in the money laundering case, all the evidence has come, now it is the job of the courts.
    

    PM Khan responded that Shehbaz Sharif has robbed money of the people and he has to give an account of every penny.
    

    The premier further said that both Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz distributed official positions by taking money. “If they had not done money laundering, the situation in the country would not have been like this.”
    

    PM Khan directed his spokespersons to highlight the issue of money laundering.
    

    Later, Shahzad Akbar during a press conference said, “Shehbaz Sharif is the ringleader of a money laundering gang. He and his son Hamza have been found involved in corruption and money laundering worth Rs16 billion in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case.”
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Wires cut to stop Nawaz Sharif’s speech, claim conference organisers
    
			
    Wires cut to stop Nawaz Sharif’s speech, claim conference organisers
    
			
    The organisers of the Asma Jahangir Conference 2021 condemned the alleged “muzzling” of former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif’s speech on Sunday, reports Dawn. 
    

    Soon after Sharif’s video link address began, internet services at the venue [Avari Hotel Lahore] were reportedly suspended. 
    

    

    


    

    

    

    “Lines kaat dee gai hain [lines were cut],” the organisers claimed while pointing out the government’s role in muzzling the speech of Nawaz. 
    

    

    Munizae Jahangir, Asma’s daughter, confirmed that broadband internet services and mobile internet had been suspended soon after Nawaz began speaking. 
    

    The official statement released by the organisers said: “The organisers of the Asma Jahangir Conference regret the state’s highhandedness after it blocked the three-time elected former PM’s speech at the AJCONF2021 closing ceremony on Nov 21, 2021.” 
    

    

    


    

    

    

    “The organisers of Asma Jahangir Conference 2021, which include the Supreme Court Bar Association, Pakistan Bar Council, and the AGHS, strongly condemn this act and consider it an onslaught on the freedom of expression,” they added. 
    

    

    


    

    

    

    After the video call was cut off, the organisers arranged for a telephonic address by Nawaz. 
    

    The President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Ahsan Bhoon appeared in Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan with Shahzad Iqbal’ and said that there was no need to tell judges [present at the conference] about Sharif’s closing ceremony speech. 
    

    While replying to the question if judges know about the former PM’s address and did they have any objection over it, Bhoon said, “Why would there be any objection? Neither were they [judges] co-hosting nor did they have to converse with him.”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    However, government officials reacted to Nawaz speaking at the conference.
    

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said he had been invited to the event, but he had been informed that “the conference will be closed with the speech of an absconding convict; this is obviously tantamount to ridiculing the country and the Constitution, which is why I declined to participate in the conference.”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Energy Minister Hammad Azhar tweeted: “Think positive; Perhaps the idea was to focus on [the] human rights of absconders..”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior and Accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar, meanwhile, said, “Having an absconder and convict speak at a conference where the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and senior judges of the superior judiciary and members of Bar have spoken creates serious doubts on [the] impartiality of organisers but also makes it clear that honourable judges should remain clear of such politicised gatherings.”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    British court orders unfreezing of Shehbaz Sharif, son’s UK bank accounts
    
			
    British court orders unfreezing of Shehbaz Sharif, son’s UK bank accounts
    
			
    A United Kingdom (UK) court has ordered to unfreeze Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and his family’s bank accounts for lack of evidence of corruption and money laundering, reported Geo News.
    

    The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) unfroze the bank accounts of former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif and those of his son, Suleman Shehbaz, on Monday.
    

    The NCA had conducted a 17-month long probe in which it examined Shehbaz Sharif’s financial transactions over the past 20 years. It said that no evidence of money laundering or criminal activities against the PML-N president or his family was found.
    

    The UK’s top anti-corruption agency filed a unilateral application before Judge Rimmer to declare that its two-year high-profile investigation in the jurisdictions of Pakistan, UK, and Dubai found no evidence of money laundering and criminal conduct on part of the two Sharifs who were investigated. 
    

    

    


    

    

    

    The NCA had initiated the probe after Pakistan’s Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) had shared evidence with the UK crime agency.
    

    After the Westminster Magistrates Court allowed the accounts to be frozen and issued a probe consent to the NCA on December 19, 2019, Suleman Shehbaz’s declared Barclays account, Shehbaz Sharif’s HBL UK and Barclays account were immediately probed, seized and monies were frozen.
    

    Usually, anti-money laundering investigations go back only six years, but in this case, the NCA used its excessive powers and investigated Shehbaz Sharif and his son’s transactions dating back to around 20 years.
    

    NCA’s investigators started the probe from the first flat that Shehbaz Sharif bought in 2004 on Edgware Road when he was in exile and asked him to produce evidence of the clean origin of the money, including mortgage payments, sources of proceeds in his accounts, salaries and dividends, and full proceeds of the property purchase in the UK bought during exile.
    

    The NCA investigated Suleman Shehbaz’s Barclays account declared in Pakistan with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and looked into all transfers that were made from Pakistan after the State Bank of Pakistan’s approval. The NCA went through each receipt of transfers from the official money exchangers.
    

    The court documents obtained by this correspondent from credible sources show that the NCA received a letter from the ARU on December 11, 2019, in which it levelled allegations of criminal conduct against Shehbaz Sharif and Suleman Shehbaz.
    

    The government of Pakistan had requested the UK government to seize all assets and funds of Shehbaz Sharif and his family and asked them to return the same to Pakistan and extradite Suleman Shehbaz with his family.
    

    Advisor to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar said that reports of Shehbaz Sharif being acquitted by the British court were incorrect, clarifying that neither had the ARU nor NAB requested the UK government to initiate a probe against the PML-N leader.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    “[These transactions] were declared as a suspicious transaction by the UK authorities and the NCA secured an asset freezing order(AFO) from the court against these funds,” he tweeted.
    

    “The news about the alleged acquittal of Shehbaz Sharif or his son Suleman run by one news channel is incorrect and misreporting. It was a result of a suspicious transaction reported by a bank to NCA. The investigation by the NCA against Suleman Shehbaz and some of his family members was not initiated at the request of Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) or National Accountability Bureau (NAB),” tweeted Akbar, who had been keeping a low profile for the last couple of months.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said: “The UK court’s decision has unequivocally exonerated Shehbaz Sharif and his family of all malicious and vexatious claims of corruption and money laundering by Imran Khan. The NCA conducted a 21-month global investigation spanning across a 20-year timeframe whilst overcoming unprecedented jurisdictional challenges.”
    

    “Never in the history of Pakistan has such a public office-holder been subjected to global scrutiny and multi-jurisdictional probing. Imran Khan has been exposed as a charlatan, willing to malign and assassinate characters of honest public office-holders. False corruption narrative exposed as nothing more than a smokescreen and Imran Khan to be an unscrupulous ringmaster of a circus built on incompetence, deceit and stained by the indignation of the innocent and the poor,” she said.