Web Desk: Shahzad Akbar linked to Pakistan’s opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has claimed he was assaulted in Britain, an allegation that has triggered skepticism from critics who point to a similar past claim that British police later dismissed.
Shehzad Akbar, a former accountability adviser to ex-prime minister Imran Khan, said on Saturday that an unidentified individual punched him repeatedly in the face in Britain, leaving him with a broken nose and requiring hospital treatment.
However, no independent confirmation of the alleged attack has emerged, and British authorities have not publicly commented on the claim.
A familiar allegation resurfaces
Critics note that this is not the first time Akbar has reported such an incident. About 18 months ago, he alleged that an assailant threw acid at him outside his residence in Britain. At the time, British police launched an investigation but later said they found no evidence to substantiate the claim and closed the case.
According to police findings, the alleged acid caused no injury to Akbar’s face or body, and investigators were unable to verify that an acid attack had taken place.
That earlier case has since become a point of reference for analysts and political observers questioning the credibility of the latest allegation.
Timing raises questions
The new claim surfaced shortly after reports emerged that Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had arrived in Britain. Those reports were accompanied by speculation that Pakistani authorities were seeking the return of several PTI-linked YouTubers and vloggers currently based in the UK.
Against that backdrop, critics argue that Akbar’s allegation has fueled a narrative portraying PTI figures abroad as targets of political victimization.
Adding to the scrutiny, no video footage or eyewitness accounts of the alleged assault have been made public. Observers say that, given Akbar’s claim of having previously faced an attack, security cameras might reasonably be expected at or near his residence, yet no such evidence has surfaced.
Legal troubles at home
Meanwhile, Akbar faces legal proceedings in Pakistan over alleged corruption involving property tycoon Malik Riaz. The case remains under adjudication, and authorities say video material exists that they argue supports the allegations. Akbar has previously rejected wrongdoing.
PTI has not issued an official statement addressing the doubts raised by critics over the alleged assault.
As of Sunday, British police had not confirmed whether they had opened an investigation into the reported incident, leaving the claim unverified and the political debate unresolved.
