ISLAMABAD: An aide to to former prime minister Imran Khan on accountability, Mirza Shahzad Akbar, has initiated legal action against the government of Pakistan in a UK court over an acid attack outside his residence in London, in November last year.

Mr Akbar told Dawn on he had also sent notices to the Pakistan High Commission in UK and other Pakistani officials.

On the other hand, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar termed Mr Akbar’s move a “gimmick” just to seek attention.

Talking to Dawn, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Mr Akbar should return to the country and face the cases filed against him.

Mr Akbar, one of the main accused in a £190 million corruption case being tried in an Islamabad accountability court, said three months before the ouster of Imran Khan government in April 2022, he had fled to London via Dubai to avoid any action against him.

Being the PM’s adviser on accountability, Mr Akbar had played a key role in making corruption cases and investigations against members of the Sharif family.

In his petition filed in the UK court, Mr Akbar claimed the acid was thrown on his face when he had opened his door to a caller at his home in Royston on Nov 26, 2023.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2024