Ex-PM’s aide attacked with acid in London

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former special assistant to the prime minister on accountability, Mirza Shahzad Akbar, on Monday claimed that he was targeted with “acidic liquid” at his residence in England, where he currently resides in exile with his family.

“Last evening, I was attacked at my address in England (where I am living in exile with my family) by unidentified assailant/s who threw acidic liquid at me,” he wrote on his X handle.

“Thankfully my wife and children are safe, however, I got some injuries but nothing life-threatening.”
Akbar said that the police and emergency services arrived instantly and his residence was being protected now. “I will not be intimidated nor bow down to those who are doing this,” he concluded.

Akbar departed from the country shortly after the no-confidence motion that led to the removal of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in April 2022.

His name was placed on the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) “stop list” by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz led government at that time. However, the restriction was removed following an order from the Islamabad High Court.

Akbar is also a key figure in the Al Qadir Trust case against the PTI chief. In March, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) widened the scope of investigation against Akbar, seeking a record of his assets and properties.

He has been accused of accumulating assets beyond his known means of income and misuse of authority.

Read more: PTI's Shahzad Akbar departs for Dubai

According to sources, the national graft buster directed the development authorities across the province to provide details regarding Akbar.

The former SAPM was also accused of being involved in the misappropriation of Rs50 billion in a case related to a private housing project unearthed in the UK.