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A senior adviser to Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has filed a lawsuit against his government, claiming Pakistan’s feared intelligence agency, the ISI, was behind an acid attack on him at his Hertfordshire home. Ta.
Shahzad Akbar, who had sought asylum in Britain after leading Pakistan’s anti-corruption campaign before Khan was ousted from power two years ago, was arrested in front of his then four-year-old daughter. He was lucky that he did not lose his eyesight in the attack. Last November 26th.
Only his glasses were saved. When Akbar opened the front door to a man wearing a motorcycle helmet with his Royston visor lowered, his glasses were severely damaged by a corrosive chemical sprayed from a plastic bottle at him.
The attack left him with acid burns to his head and one arm that required hospital treatment and left permanent scars. Mr Akbar said: independent person: “The physical wounds have healed. The psychological ones will be even deeper.
“They were trying to send me a message that I wasn’t safe. This time they weren’t trying to kill me, they were making it clear that they could kill me.”
A letter delivered today by lawyer Leigh Day to the Pakistan High Commission in London accuses the ISI and Pakistani military officers of the November 2022 assassination attempt on Mr Khan, and investigative journalist and television broadcaster Arshad. They also claimed to have been involved in Sharif’s murder. A talk show host who often collaborated with Akbar. Like Mr. Akbar, he had fled Pakistan after Mr. Khan’s ouster.
Mr Akbar said: independent person Both men reportedly received death threats from the ISI for continuing to campaign against corruption by foreign politicians and government officials. However, Mr Sharif was unable to apply for asylum in the UK and was shot dead by a paramilitary police force in Kenya in October 2022.
A letter from Akbar’s lawyer initially explained that his death was the result of a mistaken identity, but a fact-finding report by Pakistan’s Interior Ministry said it was a “planned, cross-border character.” It was concluded that the attack was a “targeted assassination.”
The letter also mentions the fact that Akbar’s younger brother Murad was abducted from his home in Islamabad on May 27 last year by men disguised as police officers. After his family filed a complaint. habeas corpus In this case, an Islamabad judge ordered his release.
However, Pakistani law enforcement agencies denied any information about his arrest or whereabouts, while Mr. Akbar was told by ISI officials that the only way to free his brother was to return to Pakistan and report to Mr. Khan, who is currently in prison. I was told that I would have to provide evidence in court. , is facing dozens of charges that his supporters say are false and fabricated.
Government officials echoed the same message at a press conference in Islamabad, which Akbar described as an attempt at “blackmail.” Mr Akbar refused.
Three months after his brother was detained, diplomatic pressure from Britain finally secured his release. Akbar, who now works for a human rights organization in London, said the impact of the attack on his family was devastating.
“I feel judged and isolated by other parents because I am not allowed in my child’s school. My daughter was standing next to me when I was attacked. I’m traumatized. I feel guilty for putting my wife and children at risk.”
He said a series of security systems had been installed with the help of police. I hope that my legal action will hold those responsible accountable. ”
The Pakistan High Commission has been contacted for comment.
