The assailant repeatedly punched Akbar in the face, leaving him with broken nose and fractured jaw
Shahzad Akbar, a former special assistant to ex-prime minister Imran Khan, was injured in an attack by unidentified assailants in the United Kingdom on Thursday. An investigation is under way, with Cambridge police collecting forensic evidence and reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area.
Akbar reported the incident to local police, stating that he was attacked by a masked man wearing gloves and protective clothing — a detail investigators believe may indicate premeditation. He said the assailant punched him repeatedly in the face, leaving him with a broken nose and a fractured jaw.
According to Akbar, the attacker later returned and took photographs and videos of him while he was injured. He described this aspect of the incident as particularly disturbing and said it has been shared with investigators as part of his formal complaint.
The former SAPM has registered a case with Cambridge police and is currently receiving medical treatment for his injuries. Authorities have not disclosed any details regarding suspects or arrests, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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In November 2023, Shahzad Akbar claimed that he was targeted with an “acidic liquid” at his residence in England. “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.
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.
