LONDON: Imran Khan, a former federal minister and adviser to Pakistan’s former prime minister, has filed a lawsuit against the Pakistani government, accusing him of orchestrating an acid attack on him at his home in the UK.
Shahzad Akbar, 46, a Pakistani national who fled to the UK after Khan’s ouster, was nearly blinded when he was attacked in front of his young children at his home in Royston, Hertfordshire, at 4.35pm on November 26, 2023. . Two men wearing motorcycle helmets opened the door and threw acid from a bottle in his face.
He suffered acid burns to his face, head and arms, but believes only his glasses and slamming his front door prevented him from going blind.
Fire and rescue services were called, and the man was hosed down and rushed to hospital.
He has claimed that the Pakistani government or its agents were behind the attacks, and is pursuing legal action against the Pakistani government in the Crown Bench Division of the High Court in London. A pre-litigation letter sent Monday outlines civil damages claims for overseas harassment, bodily injury, trespassing and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
“During his tenure, Mr. Shahzad emphasized military and ISI interference in his responsibilities and anti-corruption goals. Believing that he could not fix the rampant corruption in Pakistan, he resigned from the Khan government in January 2022. ” said a spokesperson for British law firm Leigh Day, which is representing Mr Akbar. On April 17, 2022, he fled to London.
“He continues to campaign against corruption in Pakistan and remains highly critical of military and government officials,” the spokesperson added.
Akbar said: “Compared to what I was subjected to, I think the current government is treating dissidents in Pakistan even worse. They are targeting politicians, lawyers, judges and journalists. But what is most worrying is that Pakistan can target dissidents in British territory with impunity.
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Police confirmed to TOI that police are investigating the acid attack and are appealing for witnesses and to trace the suspect’s motorcycle. No arrests have been made.
Pakistan’s High Commission in London said: “The government rejects all such attempts to tarnish the reputation of its institutions for motivated purposes.”
When asked about the attack last December, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: It is not our policy to target our own citizens abroad. We hope that the perpetrators of this incident will be identified and dealt with in accordance with UK law. ”
Shahzad Akbar, 46, a Pakistani national who fled to the UK after Khan’s ouster, was nearly blinded when he was attacked in front of his young children at his home in Royston, Hertfordshire, at 4.35pm on November 26, 2023. . Two men wearing motorcycle helmets opened the door and threw acid from a bottle in his face.
He suffered acid burns to his face, head and arms, but believes only his glasses and slamming his front door prevented him from going blind.
Fire and rescue services were called, and the man was hosed down and rushed to hospital.
He has claimed that the Pakistani government or its agents were behind the attacks, and is pursuing legal action against the Pakistani government in the Crown Bench Division of the High Court in London. A pre-litigation letter sent Monday outlines civil damages claims for overseas harassment, bodily injury, trespassing and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
“During his tenure, Mr. Shahzad emphasized military and ISI interference in his responsibilities and anti-corruption goals. Believing that he could not fix the rampant corruption in Pakistan, he resigned from the Khan government in January 2022. ” said a spokesperson for British law firm Leigh Day, which is representing Mr Akbar. On April 17, 2022, he fled to London.
“He continues to campaign against corruption in Pakistan and remains highly critical of military and government officials,” the spokesperson added.
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A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Police confirmed to TOI that police are investigating the acid attack and are appealing for witnesses and to trace the suspect’s motorcycle. No arrests have been made.
Pakistan’s High Commission in London said: “The government rejects all such attempts to tarnish the reputation of its institutions for motivated purposes.”
When asked about the attack last December, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: It is not our policy to target our own citizens abroad. We hope that the perpetrators of this incident will be identified and dealt with in accordance with UK law. ”
