Mirza Shahzad Akbar, former special assistant to former Prime Minister Imran Khan, speaking to reporters outside the High Commission in Knightsbridge, London. Reporter/FileShahzad Akbar suffered a broken nose and jaw. The former prime minister's aide says the suspect filmed the attack and took photos. I filed a complaint against the attacker: Akbar
LONDON: Prime Minister Shahzad Akbar's former adviser was seriously injured in a violent attack at his Cambridge home, according to a statement from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the former aide.
Akbar told Geo News that he was attacked by a white assailant wearing a mask, gloves and protective clothing, suggesting premeditation.
The attacker left me with a broken nose and a broken jaw. I was woken up by a doorbell ringing around 8am. I opened the door and a white man started hitting me for several minutes," he added.
Akbar said, "I resisted and he left. My family woke up and came down to see me. The attacker came back after a minute and attacked me again. This time he made a film and also took photos.
He told the reporter that British counter-police were involved and had helped Cambridge police track down the attacker.
Akbar said he fell unconscious and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. I filed a complaint against the attacker, he said
The PTI condemned the attack, saying it highlights growing concerns about the safety of political dissidents living in exile in the UK.
Akbar, who fled Pakistan after the PTI government was ousted in 2022, became a critic of the government and faced legal proceedings and charges at home.
The horrific incident is not the first attack on Akbar since he was forced to flee Pakistan due to death threats, PTI said in its statement.
This attack comes more than two years after Akbar survived an acid attack at his Hertfordshire home in 2023, an incident he said was politically motivated.
Police closed the investigation stating that the attacker had not been found or identified. Akbar left Royson for Cambridge about a year ago.
A day after the alleged attack, Shahzad Akbar released a statement saying: Yesterday, at around 8:08 a.m., I was attacked in my home by an unknown assailant dressed in what appeared to be construction or waste collection attire. The person asked: Are you Shahzad Akbar? and immediately began to attack me."
"The incident happened in the presence of my family. Emergency services were called and I was taken to a local hospital, where I received medical treatment and was discharged. I suffered facial injuries including bruising and a broken nose," he added.
Akbar said the police had taken notice of the matter and assured him and his family that they were actively investigating this targeted attack and would work to apprehend both the perpetrator and the people behind this attack.
"On advice from the authorities, I am not at liberty to share further details at this stage, including CCTV footage or photographs, as this could compromise the ongoing investigation," he added.
The former Prime Minister's adviser said: "I have full confidence in the rule of law and in British law enforcement to carry out their duties. I also urge the British government to ensure that England remains a safe place for everyone, including dissidents like me."
"I want to make one thing absolutely clear: such cowardly acts will only strengthen my resolve rather than silence me. Violence will not intimidate me or deter me from speaking out," he added.
Akbar said: All images circulating on social media claiming to show my injuries are fake and AI-generated.
Several PTI leaders condemned the alleged attack. Senior PTI leader and former federal minister Moonis Elahi said the attack on Akbar was worrying.
In a statement, Barcelona-based Moonis Elahi said: "Deeply disturbing attack on Shahzad Akbar. I wish him a speedy and complete recovery. I hope that the British police will take decisive action against the attacker.
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