LONDON – Shahzad Akbar, former top aide to ex-Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, was viciously attacked near his Cambridge home, leaving him seriously injured.
According to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the assailant was masked, gloved, and fully suited, pointing to meticulous planning in what appears to be a targeted hit. Akbar reportedly suffered a broken nose in two places and a hairline fracture to his jaw, leaving him shaken and in severe pain.
This horrifying attack is not an isolated incident. Akbar, who fled Pakistan over repeated threats to his life, has faced danger even in the UK, raising urgent concerns about the reach of political persecution beyond Pakistan’s borders. PTI emphasized that the assault threatens the safety of dissidents who rely on Britain as a safe haven.
Akbar served as Special Assistant and later Advisor on Interior and Accountability, holding federal minister status until 2022. He spearheaded major anti-corruption drives, including the Assets Recovery Unit, and oversaw high-profile financial investigations.
Since leaving office, Akbar has faced National Accountability Bureau (NAB) inquiries into alleged unexplained assets and financial misconduct. While in the UK, he survived a brutal acid attack in 2023 and launched legal proceedings against the Pakistani government. In 2025, Pakistan formally requested his extradition amid ongoing probes.
Pakistani government stepped up targeted campaign to bring Akbar back. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi personally handed detailed legal documents to British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, outlining three cases filed against Akbar in Islamabad, his NAB convictions, cases registered with the National Counterterrorism Authority (NCA) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and his status as a fugitive in local courts.
Naqvi’s move comes shortly after his meeting with the High Commissioner, during which he also submitted extradition requests for YouTuber Adil Raja. He insisted that both individuals are wanted in Pakistan and must face justice immediately. The government’s aggressive push signals Islamabad’s determination to pursue high-profile figures abroad, sending shockwaves across political and diplomatic circles.
Naqvi seeks repatriation of Shehzad Akbar, Adil Raja in meeting with UK high commissioner
