WEBDESK: Recent details have emerged in the high profile £190 million scandal, revealing the central role of proclaimed offender Mirza Shahzad Akbar, who is a former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Accountability and ex-Chairman of the Asset Recovery Unit (ARU).
According to official investigation records, Shahzad Akbar is accused of misuse of authority under Section 9(a)(vi) of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999, and of aiding and assisting in the commission of an offence under Section 9(a)(xii) of the same law.
Shahzad Akbar Case: The Alleged Scheme
Investigators have labelled Mirza Shahzad Akbar as the “master craftsman” behind the illegal plan that resulted in the proceeds of crime originally meant for the State of Pakistan being diverted to an account held for Bahria Town Karachi. The funds were sent into an account under the name of the Registrar, Supreme Court of Pakistan, instead of the national treasury.
The investigation report states that he misused his authority by personally signing a Confidentiality Deed on 6 November 2019. He declared the Registrar’s account as the “Designated Account” for receiving funds, misleading authorities by presenting it as the State of Pakistan’s official account. Co-accused Zia ul Mustafa Nasim is reported to have signed this deed as a witness.
Shockingly, Shahzad Akbar later presented an agenda item regarding this case in a Cabinet meeting on 3 December 2019, seeking approval for the deed despite having already signed it nearly a month earlier. This deliberate concealment has been flagged as clear evidence of malafide intent.
Shahzad Akbar’s International Trips and Secret Negotiations
Official records confirm that Shahzad Akbar, alongside Zia ul Mustafa Nasim, travelled to the United Kingdom twice in 2019. The trips, in February and May, involved meetings with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and the UK Home Secretary over cases concerning civil recoveries and extradition matters.
However, despite the importance of these negotiations, no representatives from key Pakistani institutions including NAB, FIA, FBR, or the State Bank were consulted about the repatriation of the crime proceeds. This exclusion led to substantial financial loss for Pakistan, estimated at £190 million, for which Shahzad Akbar is being held jointly responsible.
Key Evidence Against Shahzad Akbar
Key evidence against proclaimed offender Mirza Shahzad Akbar, the former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability and ex-Chairman of the Asset Recovery Unit (ARU), has come to light in the £190 million scandal. According to official records, notes sent to the Prime Minister confirmed that the British Government had agreed to repatriate the funds to the State of Pakistan, with the condition that a Confidentiality Deed be signed. Despite this, Shahzad Akbar allegedly signed the deed on 6 November 2019, weeks before securing Cabinet approval.
Further evidence includes official notifications detailing the formation of the ARU and its terms of reference, which established the legal framework Shahzad Akbar was expected to follow. However, records show that the funds were transferred from the United Kingdom to Pakistan in November 2019, prior to the Cabinet’s formal endorsement of the deed. Additionally, statements from former Principal Secretary Azam Khan confirmed that meetings took place between then Prime Minister Imran Khan and Shahzad Akbar in March 2019 regarding the matter.
According to the documents Shahzad Akbar concealed important facts from the Cabinet, following with actions for which he had no legal authority. This is considered a deliberate misconduct enabled an illegal transfer scheme that severely harmed Pakistan’s national interest by the investigators. Authorities are now demanding full accountability for all individuals involved in this highly damaging affair.
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